By Ariwodo praise izuchukwu
Four Nigerian gang members have been sentenced to a total of 13 years in prison for creating over 2,000 fake marriage certificates, enabling Nigerian citizens to live in the UK illegally.
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.
