4 people convicted of forging over 2,000 marriage certificates in UK immigration fraud

According to the Home Office, the fraudulent documents were used to allow Nigerian nationals to reside illegally in the UK.

The convicted persons –Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade41; Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38; Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi31; and Adekunle Kabir54—were sentenced on Tuesday, August 27, at Woolwich Crown Court in London.

According to Sky News, the group was part of an organised criminal network that specialised in submitting false applications to the EU settlement scheme.

“This group was exceptionally eager in their pursuit to violate our borders and has rightly been brought to justice.

“Like many of the gangs we encounter, their only priority was financial gain. I am delighted that my team was able to disrupt 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,” said Paul Moranthe chief immigration officer of the Ministry of the Interior.

The fraudulent activities took place from March 2019 to May 2023 and involved not only forged Nigerian marriage certificates, but also other forged documents.

The Home Office investigation, conducted in both the UK and Lagos, uncovered more than 2,000 fake marriage certificates distributed by the group, involving Nigerian nationals.

Onifade, from Gravesend, and Shodipo, from Manchester, were jailed for six and five years respectively for conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to supply articles capable of being used in fraud.

Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was sentenced to six years in prison for obtaining a residence permit through deception and fraud.

Kabir, from London, was sentenced to nine months in prison for possessing an identity document with unlawful intent.