Two Nigerians Jailed In South Africa For Human Trafficking

South Africa‘s South Gauteng High Court, have sentenced two Nigerians to three life imprisonments and an additional hundred and six years imprisonment.

The two Nigerians, Frank Amaku (26), and Ilo Promise dina (25), were sentenced in Johannesburg after they were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime investigating unit in April 2016 at a hideous dwelling in Fourways where they ran a brothel and held victims captive.

The operation ensured the rescue of five victims who have been taken a place of safety.

Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commended the operatives in charge of investigating the case for ensuring the timely conviction of the convicts.

“The sentence couldn’t have come at a better time, taking into consideration that August is celebrated as Women’s Month in South Africa.

“This is an opportune time to once again warn those who abuse women, that they will be brought to book and justice will be served”, he said.

One of their victims, from Upington was given the nom de guerre of Helena Boswell.

The Nigerians denied their level of involvement in human trafficking and have stated on multiple occasions they will appeal the conviction.

Their lawyer, Moleko Ratau, asked that the court be lenient with the pair as they were “relatively young” when the crimes took place, in 2016.

The court was told that duo kidnapped the women specifically for financial gain, transforming them into sexual objects and dehumanising them, which was evident by Boswell’s testimony that she had been starved and forced to live in terrible conditions.

The Nigerians were also accused of using drugs to push Boswell into an even more vulnerable position, with her addiction used to maintain a psychological hold on her. (NAN).