Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom after forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates to help people live illegally in the country.
The convictsAbraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41), Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38), Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31), and Adekunle Kabir (54) were all sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday.
According to the UK’s Home Office, the four were members of an organized criminal group that facilitated fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications for Nigerian nationals between 2019 and 2023. The group provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documentation to help applicants remain in the UK. The fraudulent activities were carried out between March 2019 and May of the previous year.
An investigation led by the Home Office, both in the UK and Lagos, revealed that the group was responsible for producing over 2,000 fake marriage documents. Home Office Chief Immigration Officer Paul Moran described the group’s actions as “prolific” in their abuse of the UK’s border controls, with a clear focus on financial gain. He expressed satisfaction at the group’s conviction, emphasizing that it should serve as a deterrent to other gangs who exploit vulnerable individuals to make money.
Moran stated, “As with many gangs we encounter, their sole priority was financial gain. I am delighted that my team was able to intercept their operation, and I hope these convictions will serve as a warning to unscrupulous gangs who exploit people’s desperation to remain in the UK. We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money.”
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The individuals received varying sentences for their involvement in the fraudulent scheme. Onifade, from Gravesend in Kent, and Shodipo, from Manchester, were both found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud.
They were sentenced to six years and five years in prison, respectively. Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation and received a six-year sentence. Kabir, from London, was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention and was sentenced to nine months in jail, though he was cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception.
The UK government has reiterated its commitment to cracking down on illegal immigration and fraudulent practices that exploit its systems and people.
