Nigerian Woman Asserts Her Existence in UK Legal Battle Over Home

June Ashimola, a Nigerian woman wrongfully declared dead, won a UK legal battle to retain her £350,000 home. The court determined that a fraudulent scheme, allegedly orchestrated by a convict, sought to misappropriate her property. The judge dismissed the fraudulent claims and confirmed Ashimola’s existence using video evidence from Nigeria, emphasizing the severity of the fraud in this case.

In a notable legal case, June Ashimola, a 55-year-old Nigerian woman, successfully contested her wrongful declaration of death in the UK, securing her home valued at £350,000. The incident had its roots in February 2019 when Ashimola was erroneously declared deceased, which triggered a protracted legal dispute over her property in Woolwich, southeast London. Ashimola presented her case via video from Nigeria, where she had relocated in 2018, demonstrating her existence to the court to thwart a fraudulent claim on her estate.

During the court proceedings presided over by Deputy Master John Linwood, it emerged that a convicted fraudster, Tony Ashikodi, orchestrated a scheme aiming to claim Ashimola’s property. The court found that Ashikodi had utilized a fabricated marriage claim involving a Ruth Samuel who had been granted power of attorney based on a false assertion of marriage to Ashimola. The judge promptly dismissed this false claim, stating that no evidence substantiated the existence of this supposed marriage or Mr. Lasisi, the alleged spouse.

The Deputy Master characterized the claims as infiltrated with elements of fraud, forgery, and intimidation, noting, “This claim involves wide-ranging allegations of fraud, forgery, impersonation and intimidation.” In a decisive judgment, he confirmed that the documents related to Ashimola’s supposed death were fraudulent and reinforced that Ashimola was alive, highlighting that the death certificate “was forged and/or fraudulently produced or concocted.”

Ashimola’s struggle underscored the severity of the fraudulent acts against her. The court ultimately revoked the fraudulent power of attorney, restoring her rightful ownership of her home. The legal costs incurred during this legal battle were estimated to surpass £150,000, a sum potentially exceeding the equity value of the property itself. This case illuminates the complexities surrounding property rights and the protections needed against fraudulent claims.

June Ashimola’s successful legal battle represents a significant victory against fraudulent claims and highlights the need for vigilance in protecting property rights. The court’s ruling restored her ownership and underscored the severity of deception involved in the case. It serves as a cautionary tale about the impacts of fraud and the importance of legitimate processes in property ownership disputes.

Original Source: osundefender.com