Nigerian gang jailed for forgery that enables people to stay illegally in UK

Four members of a Nigerian gang have been jailed for forging 2,000 marriage certificates, allowing people to stay illegally in the UK.

Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi and Adekunle Kabir have been sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison following a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court.

The court heard how the defendants conspired between March 2019 and May 2023 to make fraudulent applications under the EU Settlement Scheme.

They provided false Nigerian marriage certificates and other fraudulent documentation in support of Nigerian citizens’ applications to remain in the UK.

Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade was sentenced to six years in prison

Home office

An investigation led by Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigators, in collaboration with Home Office International Operations in Lagos, uncovered more than 2,000 false marriage documents forged by the gang.

Onifade and Shodipo were both found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate fraud and conspiracy to provide articles for use in fraud.

Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining a residence permit by deception and fraud by false representation.

Kabir was found guilty of possessing an identity document with wrongful intent, but was acquitted of obtaining a residence permit through deception.

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Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo was sentenced to five years in prison

Home office

As a result, Onifade was sentenced to six years in prison, Shodipo to five years, Gbadamosi to eighteen months and Kabir to nine months.

Paul Moran, the Home Office’s lead investigator and head of immigration, said: “This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and has rightly been brought to justice.

“Like many gangs we encounter, their only priority was financial gain.

“I am pleased that my team were able to stop their operation and I hope these convictions will serve as a warning to unscrupulous gangs who prey on people’s desperation to remain in the UK.

Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi was sentenced to 18 months in prison

Home office

Adekunle Kabir was sentenced to nine months in prison

Home office

“We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and tackle the gangs that exploit vulnerable people for profit.”