Four Nigerians Sentenced To Prison For Forging Marriage Certificates In UK

Four Nigerians have been sentenced to prison in the UK for forging over 2,000 marriage certificates to aid illegal immigration.

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 on Tuesday.

The UK Home Office revealed that the group was part of an organized crime network that, over a period of more than two years from March 2019 to May 2023, engaged in fraudulent applications for the EU Settlement Scheme.

They targeted Nigerian nationals, providing false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other false documents to help individuals unlawfully stay in the UK.

Onifade, from Gravesend in Kent, and Shodipo, from Manchester, were each charged with conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide fraudulent documents. Onifade received a six-year prison sentence, while Shodipo was sentenced to five years.

Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was found guilty of fraud by false representation and sentenced to six years. Kabir, from London, received a nine-month sentence after being charged with possessing an identity document with improper intent.

Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, said work is been put to combat illegal migration.

"We will continue to work relentlessly to protect our borders and dismantle criminal groups exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit" he said