A South African High Court has upheld the conviction and 18-year jail term of Nigerian national Chinedu Justice Obasi for human trafficking and entering into a fraudulent marriage to secure residency.
Obasi was found guilty of harboring two women, Busisiwe and Puleng, at a flat in Pretoria, where he forced them into prostitution, took their earnings, supplied them with drugs, and restricted their movements.
The court also found that Obasi married a South African woman in 2005 solely to obtain legal residency, without intending to live with her.
Obasi appealed the decision, arguing that the trial court overlooked his personal circumstances and failed to properly consider evidence.
However, Judge Graham Moshoana dismissed the claims, noting that Obasi never testified in his defense.
The judge described the case as a clear instance of modern-day slavery, highlighting the vulnerabilities that lead to human trafficking, including poverty, lack of education, and desperation.
With the appeal rejected, Obasi will continue to serve his 18-year prison term.
