Nigerian Woman Wins Legal Battle in UK After False Death Declaration

June Ashimola, a Nigerian woman wrongfully declared dead, wins a legal case in the UK to reclaim her £350,000 property from fraudsters. The High Court ruled that the documents used to claim control over her estate were forged and fraudulent, thus restoring her ownership rights. The case highlights issues surrounding identity and fraud in legal proceedings concerning estates.

A 55-year-old Nigerian woman named June Ashimola has successfully navigated a complex legal battle in the UK after unfairly being declared deceased. Via video link from Nigeria, she appeared before the UK High Court to prevent a convicted fraudster from claiming her £350,000 property in Woolwich, London. The erroneous declaration of her death occurred in February 2019, which led to significant legal challenges concerning her estate.

During the proceedings, Ms. Ashimola asserted her existence and detailed her victimization in a fraudulent scheme. Testimonies revealed that following her wrongful death declaration, Ruth Samuel was granted power of attorney fraudulently on behalf of a fictitious individual named Bakare Lasisi, who falsely claimed to be Ms. Ashimola’s husband since 1993. The court determined that both the alleged marriage and the supposed husband were non-existent.

Evidence presented indicated that Ms. Ashimola had relocated to Nigeria in late 2018 and had not returned to the UK. By October 2022, Samuel had manipulated circumstances to establish power of attorney for the fictive Lasisi and subsequently make a claim to Ashimola’s residence. This fraudulent attempt was orchestrated by Tony Ashikodi, a convicted fraudster with a history of property-related deceit.

Deputy Master John Linwood characterized the situation as one involving numerous allegations of fraud, forgery, impersonation, and intimidation. He highlighted that, “This is an unusual probate claim in that the deceased says she is very much alive.” The judge noted that Ashimola was facing a relentless campaign by Ashikodi to seize control of her property.

As Ms. Ashimola faced visa-related barriers preventing her physical presence in court, her identity was verified through passport photographs. After careful examination of the provided evidence, Deputy Master Linwood declared Ashimola alive, ruling that her death certificate was likely forged. He denounced the fraudulent behavior of those involved in the case and emphasized the falsehoods surrounding the marriage certificate and the legitimacy of the power of attorney.

Consequently, the fraudulent power of attorney was annulled, confirming Ashimola’s rightful ownership of the £350,000 estate. The court also acknowledged that the legal expenses incurred surpassed £150,000, potentially exceeding the actual value of the property itself.

In conclusion, the legal victory of June Ashimola underscores the importance of verifying claims of death and validity of power of attorney in estate matters. Misrepresentations can lead to significant complications and injustices, particularly in cases involving properties worth substantial sums. The decisive ruling by Deputy Master Linwood restores not only Ashimola’s ownership rights but also serves as a warning against fraudulent activities related to estate claims.

Original Source: osundefender.com