Crime and Investigation
UN judge Lydia Mugambe jailed for keeping housekeeper as slave
A United Nations judge has been jailed for six years and four months for forcing a woman to work as a domestic slave.
Lydia Mugambe, 50, was studying for a PhD in law at the University of Oxford when police discovered she had a young Ugandan woman at her home carrying out unpaid work as a maid and nanny.
Mugambe, who is also a High Court judge in Uganda, was jailed at Oxford Crown Court on Friday after she was found guilty of modern day slavery offences in March.
In sentencing, Judge David Foxton told the defendant she “showed absolutely no remorse” for her actions and she had looked to “forcibly blame” the victim for what happened.
Mugambe fraudulently arranged a visa for the woman but it stipulated she would be paid to work as a private servant at the diplomatic residence of John Mugerwa, Uganda’s former deputy high commissioner based at the country’s embassy in London.
Prosecutors said Mr Mugerwa sponsored the victim’s visa knowing she would actually work in servitude for Mugambe.
In return, Mugambe would provide him assistance in relation to a separate court case in Uganda in which he was a defendant, the court was told.
The trial heard Mugambe paid for the victim’s flight and picked her up from the airport – but the young woman then became a slave at the judge’s home in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.
Mr Foxton described it as a “very sad case” as he outlined Mugambe’s legal accomplishments, including her work in the protection of human rights.
In a written statement, read to the court by prosecutor Caroline Haughey KC, the victim described living in “almost constant fear” due to Mugambe’s powerful standing in Uganda.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she “can’t go back to Uganda” due to fear of what may happen to her and added that she may never see her mother again.
Ms Haughey said Mugambe exploited her victim by taking advantage of her lack of knowledge about employment rights and misleading her about why she came to the UK.
She said there was a “clear and significant imbalance of power within the relationship” between Mugambe and her victim.
‘Treated as worthless’
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised police to charge Mr Mugerwa with conspiracy but he had diplomatic immunity, which the Ugandan Government did not waive.
Mugambe had denied forcing the young Ugandan woman to do household chores and said she “always” treated her with love, care and patience.
Ch Supt Ben Clark, of Thames Valley Police, said there was “no doubt” that Mugambe had known she was committing offences.
“Modern slavery is an under reported crime and I hope that the bravery of the victim in this case encourages other victims of modern slavery to come forward,” he said.
A University of Oxford spokesperson said the institution was “appalled” by its student’s crimes.
“The university is now commencing its own disciplinary process, which has the power to remove students convicted of serious criminal offences,” the spokesperson added.
Source: Graphic Online
The Ghana Police Service has arrested Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, for what they describe as offensive conduct likely to disturb public peace.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 8, the Police confirmed that Abronye was taken into custody earlier in the day and is currently being held. He is expected to be arraigned before court in the coming days.
Although the statement did not provide details of the incident that triggered his arrest, Abronye has in recent weeks drawn public attention after filing asylum applications in eight countries — including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Germany, and Côte d’Ivoire — citing political persecution and threats to his life.
Meanwhile, Police investigations linked to Abronye also prompted a search of the residence of former NPP Youth Organiser, Moses Abor, on Sunday. However, Mr. Abor was not found during the operation.
Crime and Investigation
Two Women Granted GH¢100,000 Bail Each Over Offensive TikTok Comments About President Mahama
Two women facing charges for making abusive remarks against former President John Dramani Mahama following the August 6 helicopter crash have been granted bail.
The Adenta Circuit Court admitted Priscilla Duah Birago, a 29-year-old National Service Person, and Charity Dede Tetteh, a 29-year-old beautician, to bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 each with two sureties, one of which must be justified with property.
Both pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime with offensive conduct, and offensive conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The prosecution alleged that during a TikTok live session, the accused stated: “We would have been happier if the President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, was involved in the helicopter crash and dwarfs had eaten him up. A lot of people are dying under his tenure of office.” The remarks were later shared on Birago’s TikTok account, under the name “Abena Birago.”
Presiding judge Mrs. Angela Attache cautioned the accused to avoid further trouble, stressing the sensitive nature of the case.
A legal team led by Mr. Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa represented the accused, while Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo prosecuted. The prosecution also revealed that investigators are seeking a High Court order to access the accused persons’ mobile phones, though they did not oppose the bail request.
The matter has been adjourned to November 5, 2025, with forensic evidence of the live-stream already secured for trial.
Crime and Investigation
Chinese National and Ghanaian Arrested in Akwatia for Illegal Possession of Ammunition
Police in Akwatia have arrested two men, including a Chinese national, for allegedly possessing ammunition without authorization.
The suspects, 32-year-old Enoch Asiedu and 58-year-old Lu Youyan, were intercepted around 9 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Boadua Livingstone snap checkpoint during a routine police patrol.
According to police reports, the two were travelling in a Toyota Hilux pickup when officers conducted a search and discovered four live BB cartridges inside the vehicle. The suspects were immediately taken to the Akwatia Police Station along with the seized ammunition.
During interrogation, Asiedu claimed the cartridges belonged to their employer, identified only as Mohammed, who is said to own the pickup. Police have since launched efforts to locate Mohammed for questioning.
Both men are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
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