Legal Victory for Nigerian Woman Wrongly Declared Dead in UK
June Ashimola, a Nigerian woman falsely declared dead, won a UK legal battle to reclaim her £350,000 property. The court found that the death certificate was forged, and the alleged marriage to a non-existent man was fraudulent. Deputy Master Linwood’s ruling restored Ashimola’s ownership and revoked the power of attorney granted based on deception.
In an extraordinary legal case, June Ashimola, a 55-year-old Nigerian woman, has successfully contested a false declaration of her death in the United Kingdom. She appeared via video link from Nigeria to prevent a convicted fraudster from illegally claiming her property valued at £350,000 in Woolwich, southeast London. The disputed events began in February 2019, when Ashimola was erroneously declared deceased, resulting in a protracted legal battle for her estate.
During her appearance before Deputy Master John Linwood, Ashimola asserted her living status and explained that she had been a victim of a scam. Following her wrongful declaration, power of attorney over her estate was bestowed upon one Ms. Ruth Samuel, who acted for Bakare Lasisi—a person who falsely claimed to be Ashimola’s husband since 1993. The High Court judged that the alleged marriage was fabricated and that Lasisi himself was nonexistent.
Court documents revealed that Ashimola left the UK for Nigeria in October 2018 and had not returned. In October 2022, Ms. Samuel was granted power of attorney by the fictitious Lasisi, who, under false pretenses, made claims to Ashimola’s home. The orchestrator behind this fraudulent activity was identified as Tony Ashikodi, a convicted fraudster previously imprisoned for property-related deception.
Deputy Master Linwood characterized the case as one rife with fraudulent activities, including forgery and impersonation. He noted, “This is an unusual probate claim in that the deceased says she is very much alive.” He described the situation as a concerted effort by Ashikodi to gain control of Ashimola’s property. As Ashimola was unable to attend the court session due to visa issues, the court confirmed her identity through passport images.
After a thorough examination of the evidence, Linwood concluded, “I find Ms Ashimola is alive and that the death certificate was forged or fraudulently produced.” He affirmed that Ashimola was never married to Lasisi, declaring the marriage certificate a fraudulent document. The judge dismissed all fraudulent claims and accusations against Ashimola’s estate, stating that the so-called probate power of attorney was also a fabricated document.
Ultimately, the court revoked the power of attorney, restoring Ashimola’s rightful ownership of her property. The legal costs from this case amounted to over £150,000, a sum potentially exceeding the equity value of the contested property. This case serves as a profound reminder of the legal protection afforded to individuals against fraudulent claims, reinforcing the importance of due process within the judiciary.
The legal dispute surrounding June Ashimola emphasizes the critical nature of legal rights and the protection of individuals against fraudulent claims. Ashimola’s bold assertion of her living status and the court’s thorough examination of the evidence highlight the vital role of judicial processes in defending individuals against deception. The case serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between law, identity, and property rights, illustrating the necessity of vigilance in safeguarding personal assets against fraud.
Original Source: osundefender.com
