Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison in the United Kingdom for their roles in forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates, which facilitated illegal residency in the country.
Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, and Adekunle Kabir were found guilty after a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday. The group was accused of submitting fraudulent applications to the EU Settlement Scheme between March 2019 and May 2023.
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The court heard that the defendants provided fake Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents to help Nigerian nationals unlawfully remain in the UK. The Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigators, in collaboration with the Home Office International Operations team based in Lagos, uncovered the forged documents during their investigation.
Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, highlighted the severity of the group’s offenses, stating, “Their sole motive was financial gain, and they showed a significant disregard for UK immigration laws.”
Onifade and Shodipo were both convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Kabir was found guilty of possessing an identity document with improper intention but was acquitted of obtaining leave to remain by deception. Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation.
Moran emphasized that the convictions should serve as a warning to other criminal organizations exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit. He reiterated the UK’s commitment to securing its borders and combating such illegal activities.
