Four Nigerian gang members have been sentenced to 13 years in prison for fabricating over 2,000 fake marriage certificates, allowing Nigerian citizens to live in the UK illegally.
The arrested men, Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, aged 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, aged 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, aged 31, and Adekunle Kabir, aged 54, had made fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications for Nigerian nationals between March 2019 and May 2023, according to the Home Office.
In addition, a Foreign news outlet, the Evening Standard had on Tuesday, announced that the suspects have all been convicted and sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court. Their sentences ranged from nine months to six years, depending on the degree of their crimes.
The Evening Standard had also revealed that the gang provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other unlawful documentation to support the applications of Nigerian citizens who were looking to remain in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The Home Office had in a joint investigation with its international operations in Lagos State, Nigeria uncovered over 2,000 false marriage documents.
For Onifade and Shodipo, they were both found guilty of conspiracy to speed up illegal entry into the UK and conspiring to provide articles used in enabling fraud.
Gbadamosi on the other hand was convicted of “obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation”, and Kabir was found guilty of possessing an identity document with illicit intention but was cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception.
Onifade who is from Gravesend, was sentenced to six years imprisonment and Shodipo, from Manchester was also sentenced to five years at the same court on Tuesday.
Gbadamosi who is from Bolton was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment while Kabir who is from London was imprisoned for nine months.
What They’re Saying
Home Office chief immigration officer, Paul Moran had hailed the convictions, touting them as a significant victory and warning that gangs that exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain will be found and brought to justice.
In Moran words;
“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”.
