Nigerians Sentenced for Issuing Over 2,000 Fake Marriage Certificates in UK

In a landmark case, four Nigerian gang members have been sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison for their involvement in creating over 2,000 fake marriage certificates. These fraudulent documents enabled Nigerian citizens to illegally reside in the United Kingdom. The convicted individuals—Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41; Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38; Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31; and Adekunle Kabir, 54—were found guilty of various crimes related to the EU Settlement Scheme. Their illegal activities spanned from March 2019 to May of the previous year, according to the Home Office. The sentencing took place at Woolwich Crown Court, with sentences ranging from nine months to six years. The group was convicted on multiple charges: Onifade and Shodipo were found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, while Kabir was found guilty of possessing an identity document with improper intentions but was cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception.

Onifade, a resident of Gravesend, received a six-year prison term, and Shodipo from Manchester was sentenced to five years. Gbadamosi from Bolton was handed an 18-month sentence, and Kabir from London received a nine-month term. The Home Office, in collaboration with international operations based in Lagos, Nigeria, uncovered the extensive fraud operation. The gang was found to have issued false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other documents to support the applications of Nigerian nationals seeking to remain in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, praised the convictions as a significant victory in the fight against border exploitation. He emphasized that the gang's focus on financial gain and their abuse of the immigration system will not be tolerated. Moran stated, “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. 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. We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money.