Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-04-18 06:13:41
The High court recently made a significant ruling in the case involving businesswoman Lydia Namudu, who was facing charges of human trafficking. The court dismissed eight of the charges against her, citing lack of sufficient evidence and discrepancies in the prosecution’s case.
The International Crimes Division (ICD) Justice Andrew Bashaija presided over the case and made the decision to set Namudu free. He pointed out that some of the individuals allegedly trafficked by Namudu were adults above 18 years of age, not children as stated by the prosecutors. Additionally, there was no clear evidence of debt bondage between the victims and Namudu, further weakening the prosecution’s case.
Namudu, who was arraigned before the ICD in 2022, was also accused of operating a recruitment agency without a permit, a violation of the Employment (Recruitment of the Ugandan Migrant Workers Abroad) Regulations, 2021. State attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo alleged that between January and April 2021, Namudu operated a recruitment agency called Freedom Herbal Products and Services Limited in Mengo without the necessary license.
According to the prosecution, Namudu advertised job opportunities for shopkeepers, housemaids, and shamba boys on local media platforms, with her contact information provided for interested individuals to reach out. Calls were received at a branch office in Jinja and then directed to Namudu in Mengo, Kampala, where her offices were located.
Victims who contacted Namudu were reportedly asked to pay varying amounts, provide personal documentation, and were promised job opportunities upon reaching Mengo. However, Justice Bashaija ruled that the prosecution failed to establish that Namudu owned the company or that it operated as a recruitment agency within the defined parameters.
In his statement, Justice Bashaija emphasized that the evidence presented by the prosecution did not meet the required standard to prove Namudu’s involvement in human trafficking or operating an illegal recruitment agency. Therefore, he dismissed the charges against her and ordered her release.
The court’s decision to dismiss the charges against Namudu reflects a careful examination of the evidence presented and a commitment to upholding justice. It is a reminder of the importance of a thorough and comprehensive legal process in ensuring fair treatment for all parties involved in criminal cases.
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