A senior Ugandan judge and former United Nations official has been sentenced to six years and four months in a British prison after being found guilty of modern slavery offences.

Justice Lydia Mugambe, 50, who previously studied law at Oxford University, was convicted at Oxford Crown Court of forcing a young Ugandan woman to work as her maid and childminder without pay. The jury found her guilty of conspiring to breach UK immigration law, facilitating travel for exploitation, forced labour, and attempting to intimidate a witness.

The court heard how Mugambe abused her legal standing to bring the woman into the UK under false pretences and then subjected her to exploitative domestic servitude, barring her from pursuing employment or a normal life.

In a victim impact statement read during the trial, the woman said she lived in “almost constant fear” due to Mugambe’s influence and powerful reputation in Uganda.

Presiding judge, Mr Justice David Foxton, described the case as “deeply troubling”, noting Mugambe’s distinguished legal career but condemning her “illegal folly” and abuse of trust.

“She deliberately used her status to exploit and silence someone far more vulnerable,” said Foxton. “This sentence must reflect the gravity of such offences.”

The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State,  Dr. Taofeek  Abdul-Hameed, joined the nation in celebrating this year’s International Workers’ Day (Labour Day), reaffirming the institution’s commitment to staff welfare.

In a statement released by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Adepoju, the Rector expressed deep appreciation for the staff’s dedication, noting that their contributions have been essential to the Polytechnic’s success.

“As we mark this year’s Workers’ Day, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every member of our Polytechnic community. Today, we celebrate your hard work, resilience, and unwavering commitment to sustaining the standards of our institution. You are the backbone of our daily operations, and I am immensely proud of your contributions,”  Abdul-Hameed stated.

The Rector also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing progress under his “Renewed Hope Agenda,” highlighting the significant improvements across various sectors, including education.

“The education sector, like many other areas of our economy, has seen remarkable progress through government policies under President Tinubu’s administration. These developments are contributing to the growth of our institutions and the nation as a whole,” he added.

The don further emphasised that workers play a crucial role in the operation of any nation or government institution, describing them as “the oil that lubricates the smooth running of the system.”

Regarding staff welfare, Dr. Abdul-Hameed assured that the Polytechnic’s management is committed to providing better welfare packages, as well as comprehensive training and retraining programmes aimed at enhancing staff knowledge and experience.

“May Day is a time to honor the invaluable contributions of workers in all sectors. Today, let us reflect on how far we’ve come and renew our commitment to excellence, teamwork, and continuous development,” the Rector remarked.

He also urged the staff to stay focused and committed to their roles, recognising their importance as key stakeholders in the Polytechnic’s growth.

“The success of our Polytechnic would not have been possible without the contributions of our dedicated staff. On behalf of the Governing Council Chairman, Hon.  Yakubu Dati, the Council members, Principal Officers, Management, and students, I celebrate our workers on this significant occasion,” Dr. Abdul-Hameed said.

The Rector congratulated President Tinubu and other stakeholders, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa; Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad; Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Prof. Idris Bugaje; Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Arc. Sonny Echono; and the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, for their unflinching support under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I commend your collective efforts towards ensuring a brighter future for the education sector in Nigeria,” he concluded.

A Yoruba group, Yeye Dara Omoluabi Family, on Sunday urged Yoruba communities to heed the call by the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Adeola Ajayi, to embrace self-defence as insecurity worsens across Nigeria.

The President of the group, Yeye Victoria Omodara, made the call during a press conference held at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan. Her address, titled “Response to DSS Director’s Call for Self-Defence Amidst Rising Insecurity,” was delivered on her behalf by Comrade Omosebi Kolawole.

Omodara lauded Ajayi for acknowledging that Nigeria’s security agencies are currently overwhelmed by the scale of insecurity, urging Yoruba communities to reconnect with the spiritual heritage of their ancestors to defend their land.

The event was attended by leaders of various Yoruba groups from all six southwestern states, with Dr Tunde Hamzat representing renowned Yoruba leader, Professor Banji Akintoye.

In her speech, Yeye Omodara stressed the urgency for Yoruba communities to take proactive steps to protect their lives and property using “what we inherited from our forefathers.”

She said, “I urge all Yoruba people to heed this clarion call by organising community defence initiatives to reclaim our forests, farmlands, and neighbourhoods from marauding terrorists and kidnappers. The persistent attacks on farmers and rural communities have severely disrupted food production in Yorubaland, contributing to scarcity and economic hardship. It is imperative that we take ownership of our security to protect our people, lands, and livelihoods.”

The Yoruba leader decried the increasing spate of terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across Nigeria, noting that the DSS director’s call offers a practical solution to the lingering insecurity.

“I, Victoria Omodara, President of Yeye Dara Omoluabi Group, fully endorse the recent candid remarks by the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Adeola Ajayi, who acknowledged that Nigeria’s security agencies are currently overwhelmed by the scale and complexity of threats posed by terrorists, bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers, and other criminal elements,” she declared.

“His call for citizens to take proactive steps to defend themselves is a sober recognition of the harsh reality on the ground. Similarly, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and elder statesman TY Danjuma have both emphasised that while the military and security forces are intensifying operations against insurgents and criminals, the challenges remain formidable. Citizens cannot solely rely on security agencies for their protection.”

Omodara revealed that the Yeye Dara International Farm is already mobilising its members to adopt self-defence strategies in alignment with the DSS director’s advice.

“We view this approach as a necessary complement to the efforts of security agencies. By fostering community vigilance and preparedness, we can create safer environments that allow agricultural and economic activities to thrive uninterrupted,” she added.

She lamented the complex and volatile security situation in Nigeria, noting the threats posed by multiple insurgent groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and the emerging Lakurawa terror group.

“Banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery have escalated, overwhelming police and military capacity in many areas. As TY Danjuma and security chiefs have noted, the fight against insecurity will require not only enhanced military operations but also active citizen participation and innovative community-based solutions,” she stated.