Four Nigerians were convicted and sentenced by a Woolwich Crown Court in London, for forging over 2,000 marriage certificates to illegally help people desperate to remain in the United Kingdom.
The development, according to UK Home Office Chief Immigration Officer, Paul Moran, is an exploitation of people’s desperation following the court’s ruling on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.
The verdict was entered against Abraham Onifade (41), Abayomi Shodipo (38), Nosimot Gbadamosi (31), and Adekunle Kabir (54).
As reported by Sky News, the Home Office alleged that the defendants were part of an organized criminal group that made fraudulent European Union Settlement Scheme applications for Nigerians.
The defendants implemented this through the provision of false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documentation aimed at helping applicants remain in the country.
The enterprise according to investigations, were carried out between March 2019 and May 2019.
With the UK prosecution having closed its case, Onifade and Shodipo were found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK while conspiring to provide articles used in fraud by the court. They were sentenced to six years and five years of imprisonment, respectively.
The court jailed Gbadamosi for six years for deception and fraud by false representation, and sentenced Kabir to six months imprisonment, after being found guilty of possessing an identity document with improper intention to deceive.
Meanwhile, the Home Office Chief Immigration Officer, Paul Moran, reacted to the conviction, saying that the group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse UK borders, adding that they 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.
He assured that the Home Office will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money.
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