Ediozi Odi: Nigerian gets 6 life sentences, 129 years for human trafficking in South Africa
- Ediozi Odi, a Nigerian living in South Africa, has been convicted of human trafficking
- Odi was sentenced to six life terms and an additional 129 years after the court pronounced him guilty of trafficking and rape
- The court also turned down Odi's bid to appeal his convictions and sentences
The Gauteng high court in South Africa delivered a landmark judgment on Wednesday, September 18, sentencing an alleged Nigerian national, Ediozi Odi, to six life terms and an additional 129 years after finding him guilty of human trafficking.
According to the report by South African local media, IOL News, Odi and his co-accused, Nomsa Hlalele and Luke Botha, were arraigned in court with over 20 charges bordering on human trafficking and other sex crimes.
They were specifically accused of using three girls, aged between 13 and 14, as sex slaves. Odi, described as a brother master, and his colleagues reportedly lured the girls from the streets with promises of a better life.
Source: UGC
They were, however, taken to Odi's brothel where they were initiated into the sex trade.
The young girls were also reportedly forced to smoke an addictive drug called “rocks” which was allegedly manufactured and sold by Odi.
During the trial which was reportedly held behind closed-door, the local media reports that an expert told the court that the girls got hooked by the drugs which would make them do anything they were told to do.
Odi also reportedly raped the girls as a way of initiating them into the world of sex trading.
The victims were locked up in the brothel while Odi and his colleagues looked for clients for them. He also reportedly collected all the proceeds while the girls were rewarded with drugs and little food.
The victims were rescued and the culprits arrested following by police who received a tip-off regarding the brothel.
Handing out his ruling, the presiding judge, Natvarlil Ranchod, said the court considered human trafficking extremely dangerous which would be met with the harshest sentences possible.
Ranchod eventually convicted Odi on 24 of the 29 charges against him, referring to him as "the kingpin”.
The court also found Odi guilting of using his colleagues as drug runners.
While Odi received three life sentences on three charges of human trafficking and three more life sentences for each charge of rape, his colleagues received a suspended sentence for possession of drugs.
A suspended prison sentence is the term given to a prison sentence imposed by the court, and then suspended (ie ‘delayed’) to allow the defendant a period of probation, or to undertake treatment for an addiction, or to meet conditions in the community.
The judge turned down Odi's bid to appeal his convictions and sentences. Meanwhile, the victims have been reportedly reunited with their parents.
Legit.ng has not independently verified the identity of Odi as at the time of filing this report.
PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the second batch of 315 Nigerians airlifted from South Africa on Wednesday, September 18, landed at the Lagos Airport at 7.21 pm.
The Nigerian government, with help from Air Peace, is evacuating Nigerians in South Africa willing to return home following the xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals by South Africans.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better
Xenophobia: Abike Dabiri-Erewa reveals plans for South Africa returnees | Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
