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Four members of a Nigerian gang have been sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison for their involvement in creating over 2,000 fake marriage certificates, which allowed Nigerian citizens to illegally reside in the UK.
The convicted individuals, Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54, facilitated fraudulent applications under the EU Settlement Scheme for Nigerian nationals between March 2019 and May of last year, according to the UK Home Office.
As reported by the Evening Standard on Tuesday, the four were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court, receiving prison terms ranging from nine months to six years, depending on the severity of their crimes.
The gang provided fraudulent Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other falsified documents to support the applications of Nigerian citizens attempting to remain in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme. A joint investigation by the Home Office and its international operations in Lagos, Nigeria, uncovered over 2,000 fake marriage documents.
Onifade and Shodipo were found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, while Kabir was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention. However, Kabir was acquitted of obtaining leave to remain by deception.
Onifade, from Gravesend, was sentenced to six years in prison, while Shodipo, from Manchester, received a five-year sentence. Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Kabir, from London, was jailed for nine months.
Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, praised the convictions as a significant win against those exploiting vulnerable individuals for financial gain. Moran stated, “This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice.”
He continued, “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. We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money.”
By Ebubedike Ochu
