Four Nigerians have been sent to jail in the UK for making over 2,000 fake marriage papers to help people stay in the country illegally.
The people are Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41), Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38), Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31), and Adekunle Kabir (54). They were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London.
The UK’s Home Office said these people were in a criminal group that sent in false applications for the EU Settlement Scheme from 2019 to 2023. They provided fake Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fake papers.
The group made it possible for many people to stay in the UK illegally. An investigation by the Home Office and some authorities in Lagos showed that these people made over 2,000 fake marriage papers.
Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer, said, “This group wanted to use our borders for their own gain and we’re glad they’ve been caught.
“Like many other gangs, their main goal was to make money. I’m proud my team stopped them, and I hope this shows other gangs that we are serious about stopping this.”
Onifade, who lives in Gravesend, and Shodipo, who lives in Manchester, were found guilty of helping people enter the UK illegally and giving fake documents. Onifade will spend six years in jail and Shodipo, five years. Gbadamosi, who lives in Bolton, was guilty of lying to stay in the UK and using fake papers. She got six years in jail.
Kabir, who lives in London, was found guilty of having fake identity papers with bad intentions, but was not guilty of lying to stay in the UK. He will spend nine months in jail.