Four Nigerian gang members have been sentenced to 13 years in prison for forging over 2,000 fraudulent marriage certificates, allowing Nigerian citizens to settle in the UK unlawfully.
Between March 2019 and May of last year, Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54, submitted fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications for Nigerian nationals, according to the Home Office.
According to the Evening Standard, Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, and Adekunle Kabir were all found guilty and sentenced on Tuesday at Woolwich Crown Court. The punishments ranged from nine months to six years, reflecting the gravity of their offences.
According to the news site, the gang used false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent papers to support Nigerian residents’ bids to stay in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The Home Office, in a joint investigation with its international operations based in Lagos, Nigeria uncovered more than 2,000 false marriage documents.
Onifade and Shodipo were both 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 possession of an identity document with improper intention but was cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception.
Onifade, from Gravesend, was sentenced to six years imprisonment and Shodipo, from Manchester, was jailed for five years at the same court on Tuesday.
Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment while Kabir, from London, was jailed for nine months.
Home Office chief immigration officer Paul Moran hailed the convictions as a significant victory, warning that gangs that exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain will be brought to justice.
Moran said: “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”.