Four Nigerian gangs were sentenced to 13 years in prison for 2,000 fake marriage licenses, allowing Nigerians to reside in UK without authorization.
Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54, made fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications for Nigerian nationals between March 2019 and May last year, the Home Office said.
According to the Foreign news outlet, Evening Standard on Tuesday, Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, and Adekunle Kabir were all convicted and sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court. The sentences ranged from nine months to six years, reflecting the severity of their crimes.
According to the news outlet, the gang provided false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documentation to support the applications of Nigerian citizens seeking to remain in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme.
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The Home Office, in a joint investigation with its international operations based in Lagos, Nigeria uncovered more than 2,000 false marriage documents.
Onifade and Shodipo were both found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud.
Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, while Kabir was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention but was cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception.
Onifade, from Gravesend, was sentenced to six years imprisonment and Shodipo, from Manchester, was jailed for five years at the same court on Tuesday.
Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment while Kabir, from London, was jailed for nine months.
Home Office chief immigration officer Paul Moran hailed the convictions as a significant victory, warning that gangs that exploit vulnerable individuals for financial gain will be brought to justice.
Moran said: “This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and 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.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money”.
