A Nigerian doctor based in the UK identified as Olubunmi Adeagbo-Sheikh, has been found to have committed fraud by fabricating a landlord and forging a tenancy agreement in order to claim nearly £12,000 in housing benefits.
During his medical training in the UK from September 2018 to September 2019, Adeagbo-Sheikh allegedly submitted false information, claiming that he paid £900 per month in rent to a nonexistent landlord named Paul Baker for an apartment in Gipsy Hill, London.
However, it was discovered that the address he provided did not actually exist.Adeagbo-Sheikh reportedly received monthly payments of £1,217.82, including housing benefits, from the Department for Work and Pensions as a result of this deception.
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The fraudulent activity was uncovered when authorities investigated and found that the doctor actually lived with his mother in Swanley, Kent, and not at the London address he had claimed.
Prosecutors revealed that Adeagbo-Sheikh had provided false details in his application for Universal Credit, and he was subsequently arrested in October 2019.
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During a police search, additional evidence, such as a copy of the fraudulent application and fake tenancy agreements for the non-existent address, was discovered, as well as WhatsApp conversations discussing false claims for universal credit.
Adeagbo-Sheikh pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain benefits and was sentenced to a 12-month community order. In addition, he was required to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
The judge took into consideration the potential impact on Adeagbo-Sheikh’s medical career when deciding the sentence, acknowledging that a significant custodial sentence could negatively affect his role as a registered doctor since 2020.
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The judge also emphasised the need for accountability and highlighted the impact of such behavior on society, describing Adeagbo-Sheikh’s actions as a reckless attempt to exploit the system for financial gain during a challenging period.
