Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison in the UK after being convicted of forging over 2,000 marriage certificates to aid illegal immigration. The sentencing took place at Woolwich Crown Court in London on Tuesday.
Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41) from Gravesend in Kent, and Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38) from Manchester, were both found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide fraudulent documents. Onifade received a six-year prison sentence, while Shodipo was sentenced to five years.
Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31) from Bolton, was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, resulting in a six-year prison sentence.
Adekunle Kabir (54) from London, was found guilty of possessing an identity document with improper intent and sentenced to nine months in prison. He was acquitted of charges related to obtaining leave to remain by deception.
The group primarily targeted Nigerian nationals, providing them with false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other counterfeit documents to facilitate illegal stays in the UK.
According to the UK Home Office, the group was part of an organized crime network that operated from March 2019 to May 2023, facilitating fraudulent applications for the EU Settlement Scheme. Over 2,000 false marriage documents were linked to the group’s activities.
“This group was prolific in their attempts to exploit our immigration system and has been rightfully brought to justice,” said Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office.
“Their primary motive was financial gain, and I commend my team for intercepting their operation. These convictions should serve as a warning to those who seek to exploit the desperation of others for profit. We will continue to work diligently to secure our borders and dismantle criminal networks involved in immigration fraud,” he added.
