A group of four Nigerian nationals has been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a large-scale forgery operation, creating over 2,000 false marriage certificates to facilitate illegal immigration in the United Kingdom.
Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54, were found guilty of various offenses related to the forgery scheme, including conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and fraud by false representation.
The group, which was part of an organized criminal network, created fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications and provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates to help Nigerian nationals remain in the UK illegally between 2019 and 2023.
The sentences, handed down at Woolwich Crown Court in London, ranged from nine months to six years in prison. Home Office chief immigration officer Paul Moran praised the successful investigation and prosecution, stating that the group’s sole priority was financial gain and that their convictions serve as a warning to other gangs exploiting vulnerable individuals.”
