Nigerian Couple Convicted of Forced Servitude

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) _ A federal jury in Fort Worth has found a Nigerian-born couple guilty of charges of compelling a Nigerian widow to work as their servant for nine years.

Emmanuel and Ngozi Nnaji face up to 55 years in prison after their convictions Tuesday on conspiracy, forced labor and other charges.

According to a Justice Department statement, trial evidence showed the Arlington, Texas couple lured a Nigerian widow to the United States with false promises of salary and child support.

The evidence shows the couple seized the woman’s passport, isolated her in their home and made her work long hours as their servant with no days off and little to no pay. They also didn’t provide support for the woman’s six children in Nigeria and limited and monitored her contact with her family. Emmanuel Nnaji also sexually assaulted the victim, according to the statement.

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