Four Nigerian individuals have been sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison for their involvement in a scheme to issue over 2,000 fraudulent marriage certificates, which facilitated illegal residency for Nigerian nationals in the UK.
The individuals convicted and sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court are Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54. Their sentences, which range from nine months to six years, reflect the seriousness of their offenses.
Between March 2019 and May of the previous year, the gang was involved in creating and distributing fake EU Settlement Scheme applications for Nigerian citizens. They provided fraudulent Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other deceptive documents to support these applications.
The investigation, conducted by the Home Office in collaboration with its international operations based in Lagos, Nigeria, uncovered more than 2,000 counterfeit marriage certificates used to support the illegal applications.
Onifade and Shodipo were both convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Gbadamosi was found guilty of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation. Kabir was convicted of possession of an identity document with improper intention but was acquitted of obtaining leave to remain by deception.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by UK authorities to combat immigration fraud and enforce legal standards.