Court jails Nigeria woman 45months for human trafficking in US

A U.S.-based Nigerian woman, Bolaji Bolarinwa, has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for committing forced labour offences.

The ruling followed a two-week trial before United States District Judge Karen Williams in New Jersey.

Bolarinwa was convicted of forced labour, alien harbouring, and holding victims in domestic servitude between 2015 and 2016.

The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the sentence in a statement issued Monday, May 12, 2025.

Authorities said Bolarinwa lured two Nigerian women into the U.S. under false pretenses.

She promised them better lives but instead subjected them to slavery-like conditions.

On arrival, Bolarinwa seized their passports and isolated them in her home.

She forced them to work without pay, providing childcare and household services daily.

The victims endured physical threats, verbal abuse, and continuous surveillance throughout their time in captivity.

One victim, a student, reported her ordeal to a college professor, prompting an FBI investigation.

That alert triggered Bolarinwa’s arrest in October 2016.

The first victim arrived in December 2015 and was immediately stripped of her travel documents.

Bolarinwa threatened her with harm to her and her daughter if she failed to obey.

She worked around the clock for nearly a year without pay or freedom.

By April 2016, Bolarinwa had recruited a second victim, also brought in on a student visa.

She subjected the second woman to even harsher physical abuse to enforce compliance.

Both women remained in the house until one bravely disclosed her situation to a professor.

The FBI arrested Bolarinwa shortly after initiating their investigation into the complaint.

Judge Williams sentenced her to three years and nine months in federal prison.

She also imposed a three-year supervised release term after incarceration.

The court ordered Bolarinwa to pay $87,518.72 in restitution to the victims.

An additional $35,000 fine was also imposed for the crimes committed.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon condemned Bolarinwa’s actions, describing them as exploitative and abusive.

He reaffirmed the Justice Department’s commitment to ending human trafficking and prosecuting offenders.

“The Justice Department will continue to protect survivors and hold traffickers accountable,” Dhillon said.

FBI Acting Special Agent Terence Reilly also reacted to the sentencing.

“Bolarinwa deceived, abused, and enslaved two women behind closed doors,” Reilly stated.

He urged the public to report suspicious situations that may involve trafficking victims.

“Victims may be hiding in plain sight,” he warned.

Human trafficking remains a global concern, with law enforcement urging greater vigilance.

The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat slavery and forced labour in all forms.

U.S. authorities emphasized that background or nationality will not shield traffickers from justice.

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