Jonathan Nwokpor
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Four Nigerian citizens were found guilty of fabricating more than 2,000 marriage certificates in order to enable their illegal residency in the UK, and as a result, they received prison sentences.
The defendants, who were identified as Adekunle Kabir (54), Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31), Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38), and Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41), were all sentenced on Tuesday at Woolwich Crown Court in London.
According to information released by the Home Office, the group was a component of an organized criminal network that between 2019 and 2023 fraudulently filed applications for Nigerian nationals under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Many people were able to stay in the UK unlawfully thanks to the operation, which involved the distribution of fake Nigerian customary marriage certificates and other fraudulent papers.
The Home Office and Lagos officials conducted an investigation that revealed the gang facilitated over 2,000 fraudulent marriage documents. The convicted individuals, who were all of Nigerian descent, played a crucial role in the illicit business.
“This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice,” said Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office.
“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.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money.”
Both Onifade, from Gravesend, Kent, and Shodipo, from Manchester, were found guilty of conspiring to supply materials used in fraud as well as to aid unlawful entry into the United Kingdom. They received prison terms of six and five years, respectively.
Gbadamosi, a resident of Bolton, was found guilty of fraud by false representation and deceit in order to get permission to remain. She received a six-year prison sentence.
Kabir, a resident of London, was cleared of acquiring permission to remain through fraud after being found guilty of possessing an identification document with illegal intent. He received a nine-month prison sentence.
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