Nigerian Woman Sentenced to 45 Months for Forced Labor and Federal Crimes in the US

 

A New Jersey-based Nigerian woman, Bolaji Bolarinwa, has been sentenced to 45 months in a U.S. federal prison for her involvement in a disturbing case of forced labor and other crimes. The charges stem from her coercive scheme, where she manipulated and exploited two vulnerable women to perform domestic labor and childcare in her home under the threat of physical harm, isolation, and severe psychological abuse.

This sentence was confirmed by the United States Department of Justice in a statement released on Friday, May 9, 2025. The case was thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, following a two-week trial held at the Camden federal court before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams, who delivered the sentencing.

Bolarinwa, aged 51 and residing in Moorestown, New Jersey, was found guilty of multiple criminal charges, including two counts of forced labor, one count of alien harboring for financial gain, and two counts of document servitude. The court proceedings revealed the deeply disturbing nature of the defendant's actions.

The facts of the case show that Bolarinwa, originally from Nigeria but now a U.S. citizen, recruited two women to come to the United States between 2015 and 2016 under false pretenses. These women, whom she brought to work for her in her home, were subjected to a cycle of intimidation and mistreatment that trapped them in forced labor conditions.

From December 2015 to October 2016, Bolarinwa's victims, both of whom had been promised better lives and opportunities in the U.S., faced brutal exploitation. The first victim arrived in the United States in December 2015. Upon her arrival, Bolarinwa took away her passport, effectively rendering her powerless. The victim was then coerced into performing domestic chores and providing childcare for Bolarinwa's children. This was done through a constant cycle of psychological torment, physical threats, and verbal abuse. Bolarinwa also isolated her from the outside world and maintained constant surveillance over her actions. This went on for almost a year, forcing the victim to work for extended hours without pay, under duress.

Later, Bolarinwa recruited a second victim, who arrived in April 2016 on a student visa. Like the first victim, the second woman’s passport was taken away, and she too was forced to perform household labor and care for the children. However, the abuse was more intense in this case, with Bolarinwa resorting to physical violence as an added tool of coercion.

The two victims lived and worked under these dire conditions until October 2016, when the second victim finally reached out for help. She confided in a professor at her college, who subsequently contacted the FBI. This led to a full investigation that eventually resulted in Bolarinwa's conviction.

The impact of the case was underscored by the sentence handed down by Judge Williams. In addition to the 45-month prison sentence, Bolarinwa was ordered to pay a fine of $35,000 and restitution amounting to $87,518.72 to the victims of her crimes. The restitution aims to compensate the victims for the suffering they endured under her manipulation and abuse.

In response to the conviction, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division emphasized the gravity of the crimes committed. "The defendant exploited her relationship with the victims to lure them to the United States with false promises," Dhillon said. "She confiscated their immigration documents and subjected them to threats, physical force, and mental abuse to coerce them into working long hours for minimal pay. This prosecution serves as a clear message that forced labor will not be tolerated in our communities."

U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, who oversees the District of New Jersey, also condemned Bolarinwa’s actions. "Today’s sentence vindicates the rights of two vulnerable women who the defendant subjected to grueling hours and coercive abuse in her home," Habba said. "Forced labor and human trafficking are heinous crimes that have no place in our society. My office, along with the entire Department of Justice, is committed to fighting for the rights of human trafficking victims and ensuring that perpetrators like Bolarinwa are held accountable for their actions."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Newark Field Office also weighed in on the case. Acting Special Agent in Charge, Terence G. Reilly, pointed to the cruel nature of Bolarinwa's actions. "Human nature is generally good," he said, "but there are situations that prove some people display more cruel and inhumane behavior. Bolarinwa lured women with false promises, held them captive, and forced them to clean her home and care for her children. Then, she took it a sickening step further by physically abusing them. Fortunately, one of the victims found the courage to speak out. We urge anyone who notices an unusual situation to speak up so we can assist victims who may be hiding in plain sight."

The investigation into this case was spearheaded by the FBI's Newark Field Office, with special credit given to the efforts of its agents under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly. The case was prosecuted as part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey’s Human Trafficking Task Force, which was established in 2025 to strengthen the fight against human trafficking across federal and state agencies. The Task Force’s mission is to coordinate efforts and mobilize resources to combat human trafficking and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

This case is a significant reminder of the efforts being made to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation. The task force is composed of a range of agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the IRS, and New Jersey's Office of Attorney General. These agencies work together to tackle the complex issue of human trafficking and ensure that offenders face legal consequences for their actions.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Bender, along with Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, represented the government in this case, and their efforts were instrumental in securing this conviction and bringing justice to the victims.

The story of Bolaji Bolarinwa’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of human trafficking and forced labor in the United States, particularly the vulnerability of immigrants who can be exploited by those in positions of power. It highlights the need for continued vigilance, public awareness, and swift action to protect individuals from such exploitation.