Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison in the UK for their involvement in a large-scale immigration scam that involved forging over 2,000 marriage certificates. The fraudulent activities, which spanned from March 2019 to May 2023, included not only forged Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates but also other falsified documents.
The Home Office, which conducted a thorough investigation in both the UK and Lagos, uncovered the scheme. The fraudulent documents were used to assist Nigerian nationals in illegally residing in the UK. The convicted individuals—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, August 27, 2024.
According to Sky News, the group was part of an organized criminal network that specialized in submitting false applications to the EU Settlement Scheme. Paul Moran, the Home Office’s chief immigration officer, commented on the case, stating, “This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice. As with many gangs we encounter, their sole priority was financial gain.”
Onifade, from Gravesend, and Shodipo, from Manchester, received sentences of six and five years, respectively, for conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was sentenced to six years for obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation. Kabir, from London, received a nine-month sentence for possession of an identity document with improper intention.
The successful prosecution of this case highlights the ongoing efforts of UK authorities to combat immigration fraud and protect the integrity of their immigration system.