In a recent case that has shocked the international community, four Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to prison terms in the UK for falsifying over 2,000 marriage certificates to facilitate illegal immigration.
The protagonists in this case, identified as Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41), Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38), Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31) and Adekunle Kabir (54), were tried at Woolwich Crown Court in London.
According to the UK Home Office, this group was part of an organised criminal network that, over a period of more than two years, from March 2019 to May 2023, facilitated fraudulent applications for the EU Settlement Scheme.
They targeted Nigerian nationals, providing them with fake Nigerian customary marriage certificates and other forged documents to help them remain in the UK illegally.
Onifade, from Gravesend in Kent, and Shodipo, from Manchester, were convicted of conspiracy to facilitate unlawful entry into the UK and providing fraudulent documents. Onifade was sentenced to six years in prison, while Shodipo was sentenced to five years.
Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was convicted of deception and fraud by false representation and sentenced to six years in prison. Kabir, from London, was sentenced to nine months in prison after being convicted of possessing an identity document for an improper purpose; he was acquitted of charges relating to obtaining leave to remain by deception.
Paul Moran, Head of Immigration at the Home Office, said: “We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our borders and dismantle criminal groups that exploit vulnerable people for profit.”
This case highlights the challenges authorities face in tackling illegal immigration and the criminal networks that profit from it. The consequences of such practices go beyond individual fraud, impacting on national security and confidence in immigration systems. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms and international cooperation is crucial to prevent such offences in the future.