Four Nigerians have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme that forged over 2,000 marriage certificates to assist individuals in living illegally in the United Kingdom.
The defendants—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.
The Home Office revealed that these individuals were part of an organized criminal group that submitted fraudulent applications for the EU Settlement Scheme on behalf of Nigerian nationals between 2019 and 2023.
Their operations, which took place from March 2019 until May last year, involved providing fake Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents to help applicants remain in the UK.
An investigation conducted by the Home Office in the UK and Lagos uncovered the extensive network responsible for producing these false documents.
Home Office Chief Immigration Officer Paul Moran commented, “This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice. Their sole priority was financial gain, and I am delighted that my team was able to intercept their operation.”
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 fraudulent articles. They received sentences of six years and five years, respectively.
Gbadamosi, hailing from Bolton, was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud through false representation, also receiving a six-year sentence.
Kabir, from London, was found guilty of possessing an identity document with improper intention but was acquitted of obtaining leave to remain by deception. He was sentenced to nine months in prison.
Moran emphasized the Home Office’s commitment to securing UK borders and cracking down on criminal gangs that exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain.
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