CHRISTOPHER OGUNDOWOIE FROM GLOUCESTER FACES JAIL AND DEPORTATION OVER CHILD GROOMING AND FAKE PASSPORTS

In May 2017, Gloucester Crown Court sentenced Christopher Ogundowoie to a total of 20 months in prison, with the judge, Jamie Tabor QC, explicitly stating that Ogundowoie faces deportation to Nigeria once his sentence concludes. The case drew significant attention due to the disturbing nature of the charges and the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

Earlier, in April 2017, the court heard how Ogundowoie, a 27-year-old man with no fixed address, was caught in a sting operation involving adults posing as a 14-year-old girl from Gloucester. The operation was designed to expose potential predators engaging in online grooming. Prosecutor Janine Wood explained that Ogundowoie believed he was communicating with a young girl, engaging in a lengthy and detailed conversation over social media platforms, including WhatsApp. The interactions were reportedly aimed at arranging sexual contact.

However, the court was informed that the girl Ogundowoie thought he was talking to did not actually exist. This was part of an undercover operation to protect real minors from potential harm. Ogundowoie appeared before the court via video link from remand custody and pleaded guilty to attempting to facilitate a child sex offence between March 20 and 26 of that year. The charge detailed his use of social media to contact the fictitious girl with the intent of engaging in sexual activity.

In addition to the grooming charges, Ogundowoie admitted to possessing a fake Nigerian passport between December 1, 2015, and March 31, 2017. Prosecutors argued that he intended to use the false document for improper purposes, likely to facilitate his stay and work in the UK. Judge Tabor commented on the prevalence of such illegal activities, noting that many individuals purchase counterfeit passports to gain employment or residence rights in Britain.

During the hearing, Judge Tabor emphasized the severity of the case, stating, “This is a case where grown-ups were pretending on the internet to be a 14-year-old child. They engaged in text messages etc with the defendant, and he thought he was dealing with a 14-year-old girl. The communication went on for quite a long time. The contents were pretty horrible. He has been charged with attempting to facilitate sexual contact because, of course, there was no 14-year-old girl.”

Regarding the passport offence, the judge remarked, “It is not uncommon for people to come into this country and buy false passports so they can work here, which is what this man has done.” The court agreed to an adjournment to allow Ogundowoie to attend his sentencing in person, as his defense solicitor, Sarah Jenkins, explained that it would be easier to take instructions from him face-to-face rather than via video link due to his heavily accented English.

Ogundowoie originally entered Britain with a legitimate passport but purchased the fake one to secure employment. The sentencing was postponed until May 19 to allow for further proceedings and considerations regarding his case.