Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme that forged more than 2,000 marriage certificates to aid illegal residency in the UK.
At Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday, Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54, received their sentences.
The Home Office revealed that the group created fraudulent applications for Nigerian nationals for the EU Settlement Scheme.
Operating between March 2019 and May last year, the group provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents to help applicants stay in the UK.
Investigations by the Home Office and Lagos authorities uncovered that the group facilitated over 2,000 fake marriage documents.
Paul Moran, the Home Office’s chief immigration officer, said, “This group was notably prolific in exploiting our borders and has been justly convicted. Their primary motive was financial gain, and I am pleased that our team managed to disrupt their operation.
These convictions should serve as a warning to other gangs who exploit vulnerable individuals seeking to remain in the UK. We remain committed to protecting our borders and targeting those who profit from such exploitation.”
Onifade, from Gravesend, and Shodipo, from Manchester, were convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Onifade received a six-year sentence, while Shodipo was sentenced to five years.
Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was found guilty of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, resulting in a six-year prison term.
Kabir, from London, was convicted of possessing an identity document with improper intentions but acquitted of obtaining leave to remain through deception and sentenced to nine months in jail.
