Dr Ju Young Um, a 34-year-old anaesthetist, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of 23 voyeurism charges. The Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how Um installed hidden cameras inside air fresheners and a smoke alarm in his Hyndland property, which he partially rented out on Airbnb. The devices were strategically placed to capture individuals in private situations, leading to the recording of over 24 people over a span of more than three years.
The discovery of the cameras was prompted by a victim who noticed the unusual positioning of two air fresheners in the bathroom. Upon closer inspection, hidden cameras were found inside the plastic containers, and a subsequent search revealed a third camera concealed within a smoke alarm. The victim's report to the police led to the seizure of the cameras, along with a mobile phone, laptop, and storage device containing recordings of several individuals.
Further investigations uncovered that Um had also covertly filmed people in private situations within staff accommodation at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Fraser Gibson, the procurator fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, described Um's actions as calculated and premeditated, emphasizing the breach of trust and the significant violation of privacy for his own sexual gratification.
In addition to the prison sentence, Um has been placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years and will remain on licence for a further nine months following his release, during which time he will be subject to close monitoring and supervision. The case highlights the severe consequences of violating privacy and the importance of vigilance in shared and rented accommodations.
The ongoing trial involving the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Arik Air has taken a dramatic turn as Muhammed Abbas Jega, a former Executive Director of Credits at AMCON, contradicted his earlier testimony regarding the performance of Arik Air's loan. Initially, Jega had stated that the loan was performing, but during cross-examination, he admitted that the loan had been non-performing since its inception, shedding light on the complexities of the case.
Jega's revelation came during the trial of former AMCON MD/CEO Ahmed Kuru and others, who are facing charges related to the alleged mismanagement of N76 billion and $31.5 million. The case, which has drawn significant attention, highlights the challenges faced by AMCON in managing non-performing loans acquired from Nigerian banks under the Eligible Bank Asset (EBA) programme.
Further complicating the matter, Jega disclosed that despite AMCON's injection of N85 billion to purchase Arik's debt from Union Bank and Bank PHB, and an additional N11 billion extended as working capital, Arik Air failed to meet its financial obligations. This admission raises questions about the due diligence processes at AMCON and the viability of the airline's financial restructuring efforts.
The trial also took an unexpected turn when Jega questioned the authenticity of the Loan Purchase Agreement presented in court, pointing out discrepancies in signatures and document structure. This development adds another layer of intrigue to the case, as it challenges the integrity of the documents underpinning the financial transactions between AMCON and Arik Air. The court's decision on these matters could have far-reaching implications for corporate governance and financial accountability in Nigeria's banking and aviation sectors.