Four Nigerians Sentenced in the UK for Forging Over 2,000 Marriage Certificates
By Okafor Joseph Afam
Four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom for their roles in a criminal operation that forged over 2,000 marriage certificates to assist individuals in remaining in the UK illegally.
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, the convicts—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.
According to the UK Home Office, the four were members of a criminal group involved in submitting fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications on behalf of Nigerian nationals. Between March 2019 and May 2023, the group provided fake Nigerian customary marriage certificates and other fraudulent documents to facilitate illegal stays in the UK.
An investigation conducted by the Home Office, in collaboration with authorities in Lagos State, uncovered the group’s extensive operation, linking them to over 2,000 forged marriage documents.
Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, expressed satisfaction with the successful operation that led to their arrest, emphasizing that the convictions serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar crimes.
“This group was relentless in their attempts to exploit our immigration system for financial gain, and I’m pleased that my team was able to put an end to their activities. These convictions should stand as a warning to other gangs who prey on vulnerable individuals for profit. We will continue our efforts to secure our borders and crack down on those who abuse the system,” Moran stated.
Onifade, a resident of Gravesend, Kent, and Shodipo, who lived in Manchester, were sentenced to six and five years in prison, respectively, for conspiring to aid illegal entry into the UK and providing fraudulent documents. Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was sentenced to six years for using fraud and deception to obtain permission to remain in the UK. Kabir, a London resident, received a nine-month sentence for possessing an identification document with illegal intent.
