False ID gives Nigerian passport to jail
A Nigerian national who used a forged passport to open a bank account under a false name while in this country on a tourist visa has been jailed for six months.
Oluwagbenja Adeyangu wanted wages transferred into the account despite being banned from seeking paid work during his stay in the UK, a judge heard
The married 32-year-old quizzed staff at the West Bromwich Building Society's Smethwick branch about where he could get the best interest rate, Stafford Crown Court was told.
Then he attempted to open an account in the name of Stephen Destiny, aged 38, who allegedly lived at Bearwood Road, Smethwick on June 2, explained Mr David Lees, prosecuting.
An electronic check of the ID came up negative and he was asked for photographic proof to support the application, it was said.
Adeyangu handed over a Nigerian passport in the bogus name with his photograph inside and a faxed copy of the document was sent to the bank's head office where officials immediately reported that it appeared fake.
Unknown to the defendant, police were alerted as staff kept him waiting and he was arrested at the branch when officers arrived soon afterwards, continued Mr Lees who added: "The passport had numerous faults in it."
Adeyangu, who variously claimed to have paid either £700 or £350 for the document, also had a forged British driving licence in the same false name , along with a National Insurance number and pay slips. He admitted his true identity after being taken to a police station.
The defendant from Vicarage House, St Matthews Road, Smethwick had arrived in the country on a six month visitors visa that would have expired at the end of July. Mr Lees concluded: "He was here lawfully but had neither permission nor authority to obtain work in this country."
Mr Andrew Baker, defending, revealed that Adeyangu had travelled to the UK three times before and had worked as a toilet cleaner while also earning money selling small items at car boot sales. The lawyer maintained: "He was trying to better himself but was not trying to stay far beyond the period he was allowed to remain here."
Adeyangu admitted possession of false ID and was jailed for six months by Judge Michael Challinor who told him: "I accept that you were here lawfully and your intention was to obtain a bank account where you could put funds and this is much less serious than having a false passport to gain illegal entry into the UK."
