A former member of the London City Council, Mariam Hamou, has been charged with extortion and harassment against Mayor Josh Morgan. Following an investigation by the St. Thomas Police Service, Hamou was arrested and is set to appear in court in February to contest the charges. In response, she has retained lawyer Ron Ellis to defend her against the allegations.
The St. Thomas police initiated the investigation after a request from the London police due to concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving the individuals in question. The investigation led to Hamou, aged 50, being charged with one count each of extortion and harassing communications. She was taken into custody but later released with a court date in London.
The allegations against Hamou include sending defamatory and threatening communications to the mayor and his family via various mediums, leading to a cease and desist letter from the city. The letter instructed Hamou to cease all harassing behaviors and refrain from contacting the mayor or his family unless for legitimate city business.
It remains uncertain if these charges will affect Hamou’s position on the city’s committee of adjustment, which she has been a part of since 2023. Despite her past achievements as the first Muslim female councillor in London, Hamou faced electoral defeat in 2022 and lost her council seat. She is known for her involvement in various community committees and initiatives, including hosting a podcast called “London Calling” that provides independent coverage and critiques of city hall proceedings.