Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced in the United Kingdom for creating more than 2,000 fake marriage certificates to facilitate illegal residency in the country.
The individuals, identified as 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.
The UK Home Office disclosed that the group was part of an organized crime network that submitted fraudulent applications for Nigerian nationals under the EU Settlement Scheme between 2019 and 2023.
The scheme involved fake Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents, allowing many individuals to remain illegally in the UK.
An investigation by the Home Office, in partnership with Lagos authorities, revealed the group’s involvement in over 2,000 forged marriage documents. Chief Immigration Officer Paul Moran stated, “This group was determined to exploit our immigration system for financial gain and have rightly been brought to justice.”
Moran added that the Home Office will continue to target criminal groups that profit from people’s desperation to stay in the UK, stressing the agency’s commitment to securing borders and tackling those who exploit vulnerable individuals.
Onifade, from Gravesend, Kent, and Shodipo, from Manchester, were both convicted of conspiracy to assist illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide fraudulent documents. Onifade received a six-year prison term, while Shodipo was sentenced to five years.
Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was found guilty of using deception to gain leave to remain and fraud by false representation, resulting in a six-year prison sentence.
Kabir, from London, was convicted of possessing an identity document with improper intent but acquitted of obtaining leave to remain by deception, leading to a nine-month prison term.
