By ABDULRAZAQ MAGAJI

The death of Jeffrey Epstein in 2019 did not end a scandal; rather, it merely froze one name that hovered in the imagination of the public. Epstein’s case, if truth be told, remains a signature for elite impunity, sexual exploitation, and a justice system that bends when wealth and influence combine to apply pressure. Yet focusing on Epstein alone risks comforting ourselves with a dangerous illusion that he was an aberration. He was not.

The harder truth is that there are “other Epsteins” out there. They may be less famous and less exposed, but they operate unhindered within the same permissive structures that allowed Epsteins crimes to flourish. Another uncomfortable truth is that, Epstein’s notoriety lay not only in the abuse he committed but in the ecosystem that stoutly protected him. This ecosystem, mainly money, connections, silence, and intimidation, exists in many societies and thrives wherever power is concentrated and accountability is weak. Another sad fact is that whenever the spotlight fixates on one villain, the system that produced him momentarily fades into the background, intact and barely unscathed.

At the heart of the problem is asymmetry of power. Epstein preyed on young girls and women who lacked resources, legal support, or social standing. This imbalance is not unique. Across industries, be they entertainment, sports, religion, education, politics, there are powerful figures who control access to opportunity. Where ambition meets vulnerability, exploitation becomes possible and normal. The names change, the settings differ, but the mechanics remain the same.

Equally troubling is the role of enablers. Epstein did not act in isolation. There were staff who recruited, institutions that ignored red flags, lawyers who negotiated lenient deals, and social circles that asked no questions. Silence was purchased, fear was cultivated, and reputations were laundered through philanthropy and proximity to respectability. This pattern is familiar because predators rarely operate alone; they rely on a chain of complicity, both active and passive.

The media and public opinion also play an ambivalent role. Yes, investigative journalism was crucial in exposing Epstein, yet for years, rumours were dismissed as gossip, victims were disbelieved, and stories were buried. This could not have been accidental, considering the fact that powerful individuals often weaponize defamation threats, influence advertisers, or leverage political ties to suppress scrutiny. This goes on to say whenever the press blinks, predators develop the energy to advance.

Then there is the legal system. In 2008, Epstein made a Epstein’s plea bargain, widely criticized then as scandalously lenient. That plea bargain was a red flag that sent a clear message that justice is negotiable. Such outcomes erode trust and embolden abusers. They signal that consequences are for the powerless, while the well-connected can bargain their way out. The existence of “other Epsteins out there ” cannot be separated from this two-tiered justice.

Globalization adds another layer. Wealth and mobility allow predators to cross borders unnoticed or unchecked, exploit jurisdictional gaps, and hide assets. Private planes, shell companies, and exclusive enclaves are not merely luxuries but effective tools in the hands of the “other Epsteins out there. When accountability stops at national boundaries, abuse does not.

What, then, should be done? First, we must resist the temptation of catharsis through singular villains. Accountability must be systemic, and that means independent prosecutors, transparent plea negotiations, and penalties that reflect the gravity of crimes, regardless of the clout and status of individualsinvolved. It will also mean protecting whistleblowers and victims, funding investigative journalism, and ensuring that civil settlements do not become instruments of silence.

Equally important is that, institutions must be compelled to act. In this regard, mandatory reporting, external audits, and real consequences for cover-ups are essential. Without enforcing Codes of conduct, they at best remain public relations, not protection.

Then it is necessary for society to confront its own complicity. The culture of deference to wealth and celebrity, fostered by the wrong-headed assumption that success equals virtue, creates fertile ground for abuse. Moving forward, skepticism, rather than being dismissed as cynicism; should be considered a civic duty.

All said and done, “the other Epsteins out there” will not be unmasked by chasing conspiracy alone or by recycling outrage. Rather, they will be uncovered by strengthening institutions, leveling the legal field, and really listening to those who have the least power and the most to lose.

Epstein’s name should be a grave warning and not treated as a mere full stop.

•Magaji (magaji778@gmail.com) writes from Abuja.

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