An investigation conducted by the Home Office, with collaboration from authorities in Lagos, revealed the extent of the operation, uncovering over 2,000 fraudulent marriage Certificates facilitated by the group.
United Kingdom – Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of forging over 2,000 marriage certificates to enable individuals to live illegally in the United Kingdom. The sentencing took place at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday.
The convicted individuals—Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54—were identified as members of an organized criminal network responsible for submitting fraudulent applications to the EU Settlement Scheme on behalf of Nigerian nationals between 2019 and 2023.
The group’s illegal activities, which spanned from March 2019 to May 2023, involved the use of counterfeit Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other falsified documents to assist individuals in unlawfully securing residency in the UK. An investigation conducted by the Home Office, with collaboration from authorities in Lagos, revealed the extent of the operation, uncovering over 2,000 fraudulent marriage documents facilitated by the group.
Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, “This group was extremely prolific in their efforts to exploit our immigration system and have rightfully been brought to justice. Like many criminal organizations, their primary motive was financial gain. I am pleased that our team was able to disrupt their activities, and I hope these convictions serve as a strong deterrent to other criminal networks that prey on vulnerable individuals desperate to remain in the UK. We remain committed to securing our borders and dismantling the operations of gangs that exploit people for profit.”
The court handed down significant sentences: Onifade, from Gravesend in Kent, and Shodipo, from Manchester, were both convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles for use in fraud. They received sentences of six years and five years, respectively.
Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was found guilty of obtaining leave to remain by deception and committing fraud by false representation, resulting in a six-year prison sentence.
Kabir, from London, was convicted 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.
Join our Channel...