In a significant crackdown on immigration fraud, Woolwich Crown Court has sentenced four Nigerian nationals to prison for orchestrating a complex scheme involving the forgery of over 2,000 marriage certificates.
The convicted individuals — 41-year-old Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 38-year-old Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 31-year-old Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, and 54-year-old Adekunle Kabir—were found guilty of facilitating illegal entry into the UK by providing fraudulent documentation under the guise of the EU Settlement Scheme.
The Home Office described the group as an “organized criminal enterprise” dedicated to exploiting the UK immigration system for financial gain. Over the course of two years, from March 2019 to May 2022, the gang systematically provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents to enable numerous individuals to unlawfully extend their stay in the UK.
An extensive investigation led by the Home Office, in collaboration with authorities in Lagos, Nigeria, uncovered the fraudulent activities, revealing the staggering number of fake marriage documents produced by the group.
The operation’s scale highlights the lengths to which criminal organizations will go to exploit legal loopholes, often targeting vulnerable individuals in the process.
Speaking on the matter, Chief Immigration Officer Paul Moran emphasized the significance of the conviction: “This group was prolific in their attempts to abuse our borders and has rightly been brought to justice. Like many criminal gangs, their primary motivation was financial gain. I am pleased my team was able to disrupt their operations, and I hope these convictions serve as a warning to others who exploit vulnerable people to make money. We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and crack down on such gangs.”
The court proceedings revealed the distinct roles played by each of the convicts. Onifade, hailing from Gravesend in Kent, and Shodipo, based in 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 and five years in prison, respectively. Gbadamosi, from Bolton, received a six-year sentence after being convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation.
Meanwhile, Kabir, a London resident, was sentenced to nine months in prison for possessing an identity document with improper intention, though he was acquitted of obtaining leave to remain by deception.
The convictions mark a significant victory for the Home Office’s ongoing efforts to combat immigration fraud and reinforce the UK’s commitment to protecting the integrity of its borders.
The case also underscores the need for continued vigilance and cross-border cooperation to identify and dismantle criminal networks that seek to undermine immigration laws for profit.