June Ashimola, a Nigerian woman falsely declared dead, reclaimed her £350,000 home in the UK High Court after presenting herself via video link. A fraudulent scheme orchestrated by Tony Ashikodi aimed to seize her estate using forged documents. The court upheld her claim of being alive, thereby revoking the power of attorney granted to individuals who filed fraudulent claims.
In a remarkable legal event, 55-year-old Nigerian woman June Ashimola successfully reclaimed her property after being falsely declared dead. Appearing via video link from Nigeria, Ashimola addressed the UK High Court to prevent the wrongful seizure of her £350,000 home located in Woolwich, southeast London. This bizarre turn of events commenced in February 2019, when she was declared deceased, which led to a protracted legal struggle over her assets.
During the court proceedings, it was established that a convicted fraudster, Tony Ashikodi, had been behind the elaborate scheme designed to take control of Ashimola’s estate. She had left the UK for Nigeria in 2018, after which power of attorney over her assets was granted to Ruth Samuel, who acted on behalf of Bakare Lasisi. The latter claimed he had married Ashimola in 1993; however, the judge found the alleged marriage to be fabricated and determined that Lasisi did not exist.
Deputy Master John Linwood presided over the case, stating that it was “an unusual probate claim in that the deceased says she is very much alive.” He described the situation as one of fraud, forgery, impersonation, and intimidation, with Ashikodi attempting to exert control over Ashimola’s property. Despite being unable to attend the court personally due to visa issues, Ashimola’s identity was confirmed through passport photographs.
After evaluating the evidence, Deputy Master Linwood ruled in favor of Ashimola, asserting, “I find Ms Ashimola is alive and that the death certificate was forged and/or fraudulently obtained.” He firmly established that the document asserting her death was a fraudulent creation. Furthermore, he indicated that both Ashikodi and Samuel were either directly involved in creating fake documents or had willfully relied on them.
Consequently, the power of attorney was annulled, thus preserving Ashimola’s ownership of her Woolwich property. The court also disclosed that legal expenses from the case had surpassed £150,000, which could exceed the property’s value itself.
This case exemplifies the complexities of legal proceedings where fraud is involved. June Ashimola’s successful defense highlights the importance of verifying identity and the legitimacy of documents in property disputes. The revocation of the power of attorney not only reinstates her ownership but also sheds light on the extensive challenges that can emerge in cases of fraud. As the legal landscape grows ever more intricate, this case serves as a cautionary tale for property owners who may find themselves vulnerable to fraudulent schemes.
Original Source: punchng.com
