Four Nigerians Jailed in the UK for Massive Marriage Certificate Forgery Scheme

Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom for their roles in a large-scale forgery operation that involved the production of over 2,000 fake marriage certificates to facilitate illegal residency in the country.

The convictions highlight the serious consequences of organised immigration crime and the UK’s ongoing efforts to secure its borders against fraudulent schemes.

The convicted individuals, identified as Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41), Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38), Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31), and Adekunle Kabir (54), were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London.

Their crimes, spanning from 2019 to 2023, were part of a sophisticated criminal network that exploited the EU Settlement Scheme to assist Nigerian nationals in gaining illegal residency in the UK.

The group’s activities involved forging Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documentation to support false residency claims.

According to the Home Office, the investigation into the criminal enterprise revealed the extensive nature of the group’s operations. Working in collaboration with authorities in Lagos, the Home Office uncovered that the network had facilitated the submission of over 2,000 fake marriage certificates.

The convictions serve as a significant milestone in the fight against immigration fraud and underline the UK government’s commitment to protecting the integrity of its immigration system.

Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the investigation and the subsequent convictions.

“This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice,” Moran stated.

He emphasised that the primary motivation for such criminal networks is financial gain, often at the expense of vulnerable individuals seeking to remain in the UK. “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,” Moran added.

Moran further affirmed the Home Office’s dedication to combating such illegal activities, noting, “We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money.”

The successful prosecution of the four individuals involved in this case highlights the effectiveness of the collaborative efforts between UK authorities and international partners in tackling cross-border crime.

The sentences handed down to the four convicts reflect the severity of their crimes and their roles within the criminal network. Onifade, from Gravesend in Kent, and Shodipo, from Manchester, were both found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud.

Onifade received a six-year prison sentence, while Shodipo was sentenced to five years in prison.

Their involvement was critical to the operation, as they played key roles in producing and distributing the fraudulent documents that enabled numerous individuals to unlawfully obtain residency status in the UK.

Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation. She was sentenced to six years in prison for her participation in the forgery scheme.

Gbadamosi’s actions contributed significantly to the network’s ability to deceive immigration authorities and facilitate illegal residency for a substantial number of individuals.

Adekunle Kabir, from London, was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention.

Although he was cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception, he received a nine-month prison sentence for his involvement in the scheme.

Kabir’s conviction underscores the breadth of the criminal network’s operations and the various methods employed to circumvent UK immigration laws.

The sentencing of these four individuals serves as a stark reminder of the UK government’s resolve to combat immigration fraud and uphold the rule of law.

The successful dismantling of this criminal network not only prevents further exploitation of the immigration system but also sends a clear message to other organised crime groups that such actions will not be tolerated.

The UK remains committed to protecting its borders and ensuring that those who seek to exploit its immigration processes face the full weight of the law.

The case also highlights the importance of vigilance and international cooperation in identifying and disrupting criminal activities that span across borders.

The Home Office’s proactive approach in investigating and prosecuting this network demonstrates its ongoing commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the UK’s immigration system and ensuring that justice is served for those who attempt to undermine it.