Clockwise top left to bottom right: Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41; Adekunle Kabir, 54; Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38; Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31. Pics: PA
Four individuals have been sentenced to prison for forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates in a scheme designed to help Nigerian nationals live in the UK illegally.
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.
According to the Home Office, the group operated as part of an organized criminal network that submitted fraudulent applications to the EU Settlement Scheme on behalf of Nigerian nationals between March 2019 and May 2023.
In addition to false marriage certificates, they also provided other fraudulent documentation, including Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates, to help applicants remain in the UK.
An investigation by the Home Office, both in the UK and Lagos, revealed the extent of the group’s activities, identifying over 2,000 false marriage documents linked to their operation.
Paul Moran, the Home Office’s Chief Immigration Officer, condemned the group’s actions: “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.”
Moran further emphasized the commitment of his team, stating, “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 handed down were significant: 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, receiving sentences of six and five years respectively.
Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, resulting in a six-year prison term.
Kabir, from London, was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention and was sentenced to nine months, though he was cleared of charges related to obtaining leave to remain by deception.
