Nigerian Woman Victorious in UK Court After Being Falsely Declared Dead
June Ashimola, a Nigerian woman, successfully contested her wrongful declaration of death at a UK High Court, reclaiming her £350,000 home from a convicted fraudster. The judge ruled that the claims against her estate were based on fraudulent documents. Despite legal challenges, Ashimola proved her identity, leading to the revocation of the fraudulent power of attorney and restoration of her property rights.
In a remarkable legal development, June Ashimola, a 55-year-old Nigerian woman, successfully contested her wrongful declaration of death in a UK High Court. Appearing via video link from Nigeria, Ms. Ashimola sought to prevent a convicted fraudster from claiming her £350,000 home, located in Woolwich, southeast London. Her legal battle began after she was mistakenly declared dead in February 2019, which subsequently led to her estate being mismanaged by others.
The court heard that power of attorney over Ms. Ashimola’s estate was granted to Ruth Samuel, who acted on behalf of Bakare Lasisi, a man who falsely asserted to have married Ashimola in 1993. However, Deputy Master John Linwood determined that this marriage was entirely fabricated and that Lasisi was, in truth, a fictional character. Legal documentation indicated that Ms. Ashimola has resided in Nigeria since departing the UK in late 2018, without returning.
By October 2022, Samuel was awarded power of attorney based on the fraudulent claims of Lasisi, who sought to assert control over Ashimola’s property. The judge identified Tony Ashikodi, a convicted fraudster with a prior prison sentence for obtaining property under false pretenses, as the architect behind this elaborate scheme. “This is an unusual probate claim in that the deceased says she is very much alive,” remarked Deputy Master Linwood, conveying the complexity of the case filled with fraud and impersonation.
Despite facing obstacles concerning her visa, Ms. Ashimola’s identity was verified through her passport photographs, strengthening her position in court. Following the examination of evidence, the judge found that the death certificate presented was forged and that Ashimola was indeed alive. Deputy Master Linwood concluded, “I find Ms. Ashimola is alive and that the death certificate was forged and/or fraudulently obtained.”
With this ruling, the fraudulent power of attorney was revoked, restoring Ashimola’s legal ownership of her property. The court also noted that the legal costs for both sides had escalated to over £150,000, a substantial amount that might exceed the value of Ashimola’s estate, thereby complicating the financial ramifications of this case.
June Ashimola’s case emphasizes the critical importance of safeguarding individual rights against fraudulent actions. The ruling by the UK High Court not only reaffirmed her legal status but also exposed the fraudulent activities orchestrated by Tony Ashikodi and Ruth Samuel. The complexities and resulting legal expenses underline the need for vigilance in estate matters to prevent similar injustices in the future.
Original Source: punchng.com
