The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, has dismissed the appeal of a Nigerian, Chinedu Justice Obasi, against his 18-year prison sentence for human trafficking and fraudulent marriage.

Obasi was convicted on three counts in December 2017 and sentenced in September 2018. The effective 18-year term covers all counts, including two counts of harbouring women for exploitation and one count of committing a fraudulent marriage to obtain South African residency, reports the Independent News Eswatini.

Court documents reveal that between April and September 2016, Obasi unlawfully harboured two women, identified only as Busisiwe and Puleng, in Pretoria. He forced them into prostitution, taking their earnings, and controlled their movements while supplying them with drugs to maintain dependency. They were not allowed to leave the flat except to work as prostitutes, and were monitored constantly, including through frequent phone calls.

Independent News Eswatini reports that the fraudulent marriage charge stemmed from 2005, when Obasi married a South African citizen without living together as husband and wife, intending to secure residency.

Busisiwe met Obasi in Pretoria in December 2015 amid family pressures and became involved in prostitution under his control. Puleng met Obasi through Busisiwe in May 2016 and was also coerced into prostitution. Both women were handed over to Obasi’s co-accused, who continued the exploitation.

Obasi argued in his appeal that the trial court ignored evidence and overlooked his personal circumstances. Judge Graham Moshoana rejected these claims, noting Obasi did not testify. The judge said the evidence clearly showed exploitation, describing the case as an example of modern-day slavery.

“Human trafficking exists because people are vulnerable to exploitation due to poverty, lack of education and desperation,” Judge Moshoana said.

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