Bolaji Bolarinwa, a 51-year-old Nigerian-American residing in Moorestown, New Jersey, has been sentenced to 45 months in federal prison for orchestrating a forced labour scheme involving two women from Nigeria.
The sentencing follows her conviction on multiple federal charges, including two counts of forced labour, one count of alien harbouring for financial gain, and two counts of document servitude.
Between December 2015 and October 2016, Bolarinwa recruited the victims to the United States under false pretences, promising them better opportunities.
Upon their arrival, she confiscated their passports and subjected them to physical abuse, threats, isolation, and constant surveillance to compel them to perform domestic chores and childcare services in her home.
One victim was coerced into working around the clock for nearly a year, while the other endured similar conditions for several months.
The abuse came to light when the second victim confided in a college professor, who then alerted the FBI.
In addition to her prison term, Bolarinwa was ordered to pay $87,518.72 in restitution to the victims and will undergo three years of supervised release upon completion of her sentence.
