Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison in the UK after forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates to help individuals live in the country illegally. The group, consisting of Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41), Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38), Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31), and Adekunle Kabir (54), received their sentences at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday.
According to the UK Home Office, the four were members of an organized criminal network that submitted fraudulent applications for the EU Settlement Scheme on behalf of Nigerian nationals between 2019 and 2023. Their activities included providing false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents to help applicants remain in the UK.
The group’s illegal operation spanned from March 2019 to May of the previous year. An investigation conducted by the Home Office in both the UK and Lagos revealed that the group was responsible for facilitating over 2,000 false marriage documents.
Paul Moran, the Home Office’s Chief Immigration Officer, commented: “This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice. 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.”
Onifade, residing in Gravesend, 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, receiving sentences of 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, resulting in a six-year sentence.
Kabir, based in London, was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention but was cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception. He was sentenced to nine months in prison.
These convictions highlight the UK government’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration and the exploitation of vulnerable people by criminal gangs.
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