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US-based Nigerian couple faces 20 years in prison for forced labour, trafficking
Following a two-week trial, a Nigerian couple residing in the United States, Bolaji Bolarinwa, 50, and Isiaka Bolarinwa, 67, both from Burlington County, New Jersey, has been found guilty of forced labour and related crimes.
The verdict was delivered by a federal jury in Camden, New Jersey, as announced by the United States Department of Justice.
The couple coerced two individuals into domestic labour, including childcare, between December 2015 and October 2016.
“Bolaji Bolarinwa was convicted of two counts of forced labour, one count of alien harboring for financial gain, and two counts of document servitude, while Isiaka Bolarinwa was convicted of two counts of forced labour and one count of alien harboring for financial gain”.
“They were acquitted of a second count of alien harboring for financial gain”.
The court heard that upon the victims’ arrival in the United States, Bolaji Bolarinwa confiscated their passports and subjected them to threats, verbal abuse, isolation, and constant surveillance to compel them to work every day, around the clock for nearly a year.
Victim 2, who arrived later, was subjected to physical abuse in addition to the other coercive tactics employed by Bolaji Bolarinwa.
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Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the defendants’ deceitful actions, luring the victims to the United States with false promises and subsequently subjecting them to exploitation.
U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger condemned the defendants’ actions as an egregious bait-and-switch, highlighting the victims’ ordeal of grueling hours, physical abuse, and psychological manipulation.
A sentencing hearing for the convicted couple will be scheduled later, with both defendants facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each forced labor count and 10 years for the alien harboring count.
Additionally, they will be required to pay mandatory restitution to the victims and fines up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
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