Four members of an organised criminal group have been sentenced to prison for their roles in forging over 2,000 marriage certificates, enabling Nigerian nationals to remain in the UK illegally.

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The group, comprising Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London.

Their criminal enterprise involved making fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications between March 2019 and May 2023, using false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other fraudulent documentation.

The Home Office, which conducted the investigation in both the UK and Lagos, Nigeria, revealed that the group facilitated over 2,000 false marriage documents.

Paul Moran, the Home Office's chief immigration officer, condemned the group's actions, stating, "This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice." He emphasised that the gang's primary motivation was financial gain and expressed satisfaction that their operation was intercepted.

Onifade, from Gravesend, Kent, and Shodipo, from Manchester, received sentences of six years and five years, respectively, for conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry and provide fraudulent articles. Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was sentenced to six years for obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud. Kabir, from London, was sentenced to nine months for possessing an identity document with improper intention.

The Home Office has vowed to continue its efforts to secure borders and dismantle criminal networks exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit.