The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, has upheld the conviction and 18-year prison sentence of Nigerian national, Chinedu Justice Obasi, found guilty of human trafficking and entering into a fraudulent marriage to secure residency.

According to Independent News Eswatini, Obasi was originally convicted in December 2017 and sentenced in September 2018 on three counts two of harbouring women for exploitation and one of fraudulent marriage.

Court documents revealed that between April and September 2016, Obasi held two women, identified as Busisiwe and Puleng, in a Pretoria flat where they were allegedly forced into prostitution. The women’s movements were restricted, their earnings seized, and they were supplied with drugs to keep them under control.

The fraudulent marriage charge traced back to 2005, when Obasi married a South African woman but never lived with her. The court ruled that the union was contracted solely for the purpose of obtaining legal residency.

On appeal, Obasi argued that the trial court failed to consider his personal circumstances and did not properly assess the evidence. However, Presiding Judge Graham Moshoana dismissed his claims, noting that Obasi never testified in his defence.

Judge Moshoana described the case as a “clear instance of modern-day slavery,” stressing that human trafficking thrives because vulnerable individuals especially women are targeted due to poverty, lack of education, and desperation.

“Victims are often abused, confused, and disoriented. People are trafficked for sex, labour, and other related reasons,” the judge said.

With the ruling, Obasi will continue to serve his 18-year sentence.