Nigerian Man, Wife Convicted Of Bonded Labour In US, Face 20 Years Imprisonment

Published

9 months ago

May 5, 2024

thecloudngr

Nigerian Man, Wife Convicted Of Bonded Labour In US, Face 20 Years Imprisonment—-A Nigerian couple based in the United States has been convicted of forced labour by a federal jury in New Jersey and faces 20 years imprisonment.

Isiaka Bolarinwa, 67, and Bolaji Bolarinwa, 50 — who are both US citizens were also found guilty of operating a coercive scheme to compel two victims to perform domestic labour and childcare in their home.

Speaking at the end of the trial on April 24, Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general, said the husband and wife lured the victims to the US with promises of a better life and an education but instead subjected them to hours of physical and psychological abuse.

“The defendants confiscated the victims’ passports, threatened them, degraded them, physically abused them and kept them under constant surveillance, all to coerce the victims’ labor and ruthlessly exploit them for the defendants’ own profit,” Clarke said.

“Human trafficking is a heinous crime, and this verdict should send the very clear message that the justice department will investigate and vigorously prosecute these cases to hold human traffickers accountable and bring justice to their victims.”

According to the evidence presented at trial, including the testimony of two victims, the incident happened between December 2015 and October 2016.

“Once Victim 1 arrived in the United States in December 2015, Bolaji Bolarinwa confiscated her passport and coerced her through threats of physical harm to her and her daughter, verbal abuse, isolation and constant surveillance to compel her to work every day, around the clock for nearly a year,” the court heard.

“Isiaka was aware of his wife’s threats and abusive behavior toward Victim 1 and directly benefited from Victim 1’s cooking, cleaning and childcare.

“The defendants then recruited Victim 2 to come to the United States on a student visa.

“When Victim 2 arrived in the United States in April 2016, Bolaji Bolarinwa similarly confiscated her passport and coerced her to perform household work and childcare but relied more heavily on physical abuse.

“On at least one occasion, Isiaka Bolarinwa also physically abused Vitim 2, and he was aware of his wife’s coercive, abusive behavior toward Victim 2 and directly benefited from her cleaning and childcare.”

The US department of justice (DOJ) said both victims endured the abuse until October 2016, when one of them (victim 1) summoned the courage to outcry to a professor at her college, who in turn, reported the targets to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Both defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each forced labour count and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the alien harbouring count.

The DOJ added that they will also be required to pay mandatory restitution to the victims and each faces a fine on each count of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss from the offence, whichever is greatest.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

thecloudngr

0Shares

Related Topics:Face 20 Years Imprisonment Nigerian Man Wife Convicted Of Bonded Labour In US

Up Next

Kano: Reactions As NNPP Senator Reportedly Donates Clay Pots, ‘Burial Materials’ To Constituents

Don't Miss

Ipswich Town Makes Premier League Return After 22 Years

Click to comment

News

Kebbi State Police Reportedly Reject ₦1.6 Million Bribe From Lakurawa

Published

1 day ago

January 15, 2025

thecloudngr

Kebbi State Police Reportedly Reject ₦1.6 Million Bribe From Lakurawa—-Thecloudngr reports that the Kebbi State Police Command has rejected a ₦1.6 million bribe offered by bandit group, Lukarawa, to compromise its prosecution of suspected members of the group.

The bribe was offered to the Command’s lead investigator, at the premises of the State Criminal Investigation Department, in Birnin-Kebbi.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, assured the commitment of the Kebbi Police to investigate and prosecute the suspects.

It read, “On January 13, 2025, at about 1800hrs, one Umaru Garba ‘m’ aged 53yrs of Dangandu village, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji Mamman ‘m’ aged 51yrs of Maimaichi village, all of Arewa LGA, and Usman Muhammadu ‘m’ aged 50yrs of Bakaramba village in Argungu LGA, conspired and offered the sum of One Million and Sixty Thousand Naira ( ₦1, 060, 000) bribe to the Command’s lead Investigator, at the premises of the State Criminal Investigation Department, State Headquarters, Gwadangaji, Birnin Kebbi.

“The bribe is with a view to compromise the Investigation and prosecution of a case of banditry allegedly perpetrated by suspected Lakurawa terrorists operating in the northern part of the State.

The suspects were instantly arrested, and the investigation is still ongoing, after which they will be charged to court for prosecution.”

The Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, Bello Sani, further commended the commitment and professionalism displayed by the detectives and urged other Police Officers to emulate them.

Sani reiterated the Command’s determination in the ongoing fight against banditry and other serious crimes to allow socio-economic activities to thrive in Kebbi State.

thecloudngr

0Shares

Breaking

JUST IN: Oriyomi Hamzat And Ooni Ex-Queen Charged With Murder Of 35 Children By Oyo State

Published

3 days ago

January 13, 2025

thecloudngr

JUST IN: Oriyomi Hamzat And Ooni Ex-Queen Charged With Murder Of 35 Children By Oyo State—-The Oyo State Government has filed eight counts, bordering on murder and manslaughter against the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, the proprietor of an Ibadan-based radio station, Oriyomi Hamzat, and the Principal of Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Abdulahi Fasasi, over the December 18, 2024 funfair stampede, during which 35 children died.

The charge sheet, marked I/05C/2025, sighted by our correspondent on Sunday, was filed on Friday, January 10, 2025, before the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.

The Oyo State Government was listed as the complainant while Silekunola, Hamzat abd and Babatunde were named as defendants.

In the 18 counts, the government accused the defendants of “conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: murder, manslaughter, conspiracy to commit an offence to wit: criminal negligence, and criminal negligence.”

The offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

In the charge sheet obtained by The PUNCH, the prosecution disclosed the names and details of 14 out of the 35 children who died in the incident.

They include Musiliu Sofiat, female, eight years; Lekan Salami, male, seven years; Feyikemi Salam, female, 1.5 years; Olaniyan Joshua, male, 1.5 years; Laeef Muisi, male, eight years; Opeyemi Ayomide, female, four years; Adebayo-Fatimah, female, four years; Adebayo-Abibat, female, five years; Adeyanju Taiwo, female, eight years; Salaudeen Khalid, male, minor; Anjorin Faridat, female, 10 years; Nahaam Muisi, male, 13 years; and Babatunde Toheeb, male, 18 years.

The state alleged that the defendants “negligently omitted to provide adequate security, crowd control mechanisms, and medical facilities to prevent a stampede at a children’s funfair programme organised by you.”

It alleged that the defendants’ “negligent omission resulted in the death of Musiliu Sofiat, aged 8 years, and 34 other children, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 344 of the Criminal Code, CAP 38, Vol II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

Fasasi faces trial on a four-count charge, including conspiracy, acceleration of death, negligent acts causing harm, and failure to provide adequate security and medical facilities.

Last week, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde vowed that the state would prosecute the defendants.

The defendants have been in prison custody since December 24, following their arrest by the police.

thecloudngr