Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to a combined 13 years in prison for their roles in a criminal scheme that produced more than 2,000 fake marriage certificates, allowing Nigerian citizens to live in the United Kingdom illegally. The convictions mark a significant victory for UK immigration enforcement.
The defendants, identified as Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41), Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38), Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31), and Adekunle Kabir (54), were involved in submitting fraudulent applications to the EU Settlement Scheme between March 2019 and May 2022. Their actions enabled numerous Nigerian nationals to remain in the UK unlawfully.
The group was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court, where the severity of their crimes was reflected in their sentences. Onifade, from Gravesend, received the longest sentence of six years. Shodipo, from Manchester, was sentenced to five years. Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was sentenced to 18 months, and Kabir, from London, was sentenced to nine months.
The gang’s operation involved creating and supplying fake Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documents to support the illegal residency applications. Their scheme was uncovered during a joint investigation conducted by the UK Home Office and its international operations team based in Lagos, Nigeria. The investigation revealed the extent of the criminal enterprise, with over 2,000 falsified marriage documents discovered.
Onifade and Shodipo were found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles for use in fraud. Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, while Kabir was convicted of possessing an identity document with improper intent. Kabir was, however, cleared of the charge of obtaining leave to remain by deception.
Paul Moran, the Home Office’s chief immigration officer, praised the successful prosecution, highlighting the group’s blatant disregard for UK immigration laws. “This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice,” Moran said. “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.”
Moran emphasized that the Home Office will continue its efforts to protect UK borders and clamp down on criminal organizations that prey on vulnerable individuals for profit. The convictions of these four individuals send a strong message that such exploitation will not be tolerated.
