Nigerian Woman Wins UK Legal Battle After Being Falsely Declared Dead

Nigerian woman June Ashimola wins a legal battle in the UK after being falsely declared dead. She successfully defended her £350,000 property against fraudulent claims. The judge ruled the declaration of death was fraudulent, revoking the power of attorney given to fraudsters and reaffirming her rightful ownership of the estate.

June Ashimola, a 55-year-old Nigerian woman, has recently emerged victorious in a legal battle in the UK after being inaccurately declared dead. Appearing via video link from Nigeria, she aimed to protect her £350,000 home in Woolwich, London, from a fraudster’s attempts to seize it. The wrongful death declaration occurred in February 2019, igniting a protracted legal dispute over her property.

In court, Deputy Master John Linwood learned that following the declaration, power of attorney was wrongfully granted to Ruth Samuel, who was acting for Bakare Lasisi, an individual who falsely claimed to have married Ashimola in 1993. The judge found that neither the marriage nor Lasisi were legitimate, establishing that this was a fraudulent scheme to claim ownership of Ashimola’s property.

Ashimola had vacated the UK for Nigeria in 2018, and by late 2022, Samuel had been granted power of attorney on behalf of the fictitious Lasisi, asserting claims over Ashimola’s home. Further investigation revealed that convicted fraudster Tony Ashikodi orchestrated the plot to take control of Ashimola’s property, leading to serious allegations of fraud, forgery, and impersonation.

In his judgment, Deputy Master Linwood cited the case as highly unusual. He stated, “This is an unusual probate claim in that the deceased says she is very much alive.” He disclosed that Ashikodi’s relentless campaign was fueled by attempts to secure ownership of the property, reinforcing the need for thorough scrutiny in such cases.

Despite her absence from court due to visa complications, Ashimola’s identity was corroborated through passport photos, allowing the judge to reject fraudulent claims against her estate. Linwood noted several findings, including the determination that the death certificate was forgery or fraudulently obtained.

He specifically ruled, “I find Ms Ashimola is alive and that the death certificate was forged and/or fraudulently obtained.” He also stated that the alleged marriage was fraudulent and underscored the involvement of Ashikodi and Samuel in the fraud process, declaring, “The probate power of attorney submitted was fraudulently produced.”

Consequently, the court revoked the power of attorney, reinstating Ashimola’s rightful ownership of her property. The ruling also highlighted that the amassed legal fees from both sides exceeded £150,000, potentially surpassing the property’s equity value, emphasizing the high stakes involved in this legal confrontation.

The legal confrontation faced by June Ashimola underscores the severe implications of identity fraud and the importance of judicial integrity. The ruling affirmed her status as alive and rightfully owner of her estate, highlighting how legal systems can rectify wrongful declarations. Additionally, the judgment emphasized the necessity for competent legal processes that safeguard individuals from fraudulent claims and exploitation.

Original Source: osundefender.com