Extradited ‘Fake’ Bride Jailed for Wedding Scam

24/01/2012

Zunica Sabina and Olukayode Olusanya were jailed at Manchester Crown Court today following their sham marriage at St John's church, Moston, Manchester in September 2008.

Olusanya's partner, Esther Ogunrinde, who acted as a witness to the sham marriage, was given a suspended prison sentence. Following the marriage she used the identity card reported lost by Sabina in Holland to gain employment in the UK.

Zunica Sabina, a Dutch national, immediately flew back to Amsterdam after the marriage ceremony while Olukayode Olusanya and Esther Ogunrinde continued to live together in Manchester with their three children.  Sabina was extradited from Holland to be prosecuted in the UK.

All three pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to facilitate a breach of immigration law.

Sabina was jailed for 16 months, Olusanyu for 32 months and Ogunrinde received 12 months suspended sentence with 180 hours of unpaid work.

John Dilworth, Head of CPS North West Complex Casework Unit said:

"The marriage was a sham in an attempt to defeat the immigration rules that protect UK borders.  The only purpose could have been to help a non-European national to live, work and claim benefits in the UK. 

"We worked together on this case with the North West Immigration Crime Team and Dutch authorities to bring Zunica Sabina back to the UK to face the charges.  The Crown Prosecution Service will continue to pursue anyone involved in such offences and prosecute robustly."

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