Four Nigerians Sentenced To 13 Years In The UK For Forging Marriage Documents
A UK court has sentenced four Nigerians to a total of 13 years in prison for forging over 2,000 marriage documents to facilitate the illegal stay of Nigerian nationals in the country. The Woolwich Crown Court delivered the sentences after an extensive investigation by the Home Office, which revealed that the group had been creating fake documents to support fraudulent applications under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
The convicts, identified as Abraham Onifade, 41; Abayomi Shodipo, 38; Nosimot Gbadamosi, 31; and Adekunle Kabir, 54, engaged in the scheme from March 2019 to May 2023. They fabricated Nigerian customary marriage certificates and other documentation to deceive authorities and enable their clients to reside in the UK illegally.
The Home Office’s investigation, conducted in collaboration with its international operations based in Lagos, Nigeria, uncovered more than 2,000 fake marriage documents linked to this group.
The court handed down varying sentences based on the severity of each individual’s involvement in the scheme. Onifade, from Gravesend, received a six-year prison sentence, while Shodipo, from Manchester, was sentenced to five years. Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Kabir, from London, received a nine-month sentence.
This case underscores the UK’s commitment to cracking down on immigration fraud and maintaining the integrity of its immigration system. The successful investigation and prosecution reflect the effectiveness of international cooperation in tackling cross-border criminal activities.
