Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom after being convicted of forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates to facilitate illegal residency in the country.
The convicts, identified as Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41), Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38), Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31), and Adekunle Kabir (54), were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday. The Home Office revealed that the group was part of an organized criminal network that submitted fraudulent applications under the EU Settlement Scheme for Nigerian nationals between 2019 and 2023.
The operation involved the use of false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documentation, enabling numerous individuals to illegally remain in the UK. An investigation by the Home Office, in collaboration with authorities in Lagos, uncovered the group's involvement in facilitating the forgery of over 2,000 marriage documents.
Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, commented on the case, stating, “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.”
The sentences for the convicted individuals are as follows:
Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, from Gravesend in Kent, was found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. He received a six-year prison sentence.
Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, from Manchester, was also convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. He was sentenced to five years in prison.
Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation. She was sentenced to six years in prison.
Adekunle Kabir, from London, was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention but was cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception. He received a nine-month prison sentence.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts by UK authorities to combat fraudulent schemes and illegal immigration, as they work to uphold the integrity of the country’s immigration system.
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