Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom for their involvement in a large-scale forgery scheme that produced over 2,000 fake marriage certificates.
The convictions were handed down at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday.
Convicted Individuals and Sentences:
Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, from Gravesend in Kent, was sentenced to six years in prison.
Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, from Manchester, received a five-year prison sentence.
Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, from Bolton, was sentenced to six years.
Adekunle Kabir, 54, from London, was jailed for nine months.
Details of the Crime:
The four individuals were part of an organized criminal group that submitted fraudulent applications under the EU Settlement Scheme for Nigerian nationals. Their activities spanned from March 2019 to May 2023, during which they provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents to help individuals remain in the UK illegally.
Investigation and Convictions:
An investigation conducted by the Home Office in the UK and Lagos uncovered more than 2,000 false marriage documents facilitated by the group. Onifade and Shodipo were convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Gbadamosi was found guilty of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation. Kabir was convicted of possessing an identity document with improper intention but was acquitted of obtaining leave to remain by deception.
Home Office Statement:
Home Office Chief Immigration Officer Paul Moran stated, “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
