Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom after being convicted of forging over 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 all 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, which included the provision of false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documentation, allowed numerous individuals to remain in the UK illegally.
An investigation conducted by the Home Office in collaboration with authorities in Lagos uncovered that the group facilitated over 2,000 false marriage documents. The convicted persons, all of Nigerian origin, were integral to the criminal enterprise.
Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, 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.”
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. She received a six-year prison sentence.
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 was sentenced to nine months in prison.