Nigerian Woman Wins UK Court Battle to Reclaim Property from Fraud

June Ashimola, a 55-year-old Nigerian woman, successfully reclaimed her £350,000 home in the UK after being falsely declared dead. The UK High Court ruled that the fraudulent claims over her estate were orchestrated by convicted fraudster Tony Ashikodi. The power of attorney granted to a supposed spouse was annulled after it was determined that the marriage was fictitious. Legal costs exceeded £150,000 amid this convoluted case of fraud and impersonation.

In a significant legal victory, June Ashimola, a 55-year-old Nigerian woman falsely declared deceased, successfully reclaimed her £350,000 home located in Woolwich, Southeast London. Participating via video link from Nigeria, Ms. Ashimola appeared before the UK High Court to contest a fraudulent claim regarding her estate. Her legal struggles ensued after she was wrongfully declared dead in February 2019, which led to a power of attorney being granted to a person acting on behalf of an alleged spouse.

The fraudulent claims were associated with Ruth Samuel and Bakare Lasisi, who falsely asserted his marriage to Ms. Ashimola in 1993. Upon examination of the case, Deputy Master John Linwood determined that the marriage was fictitious and that Lasisi did not exist. This case is particularly unusual due to the circumstances of a purportedly deceased individual claiming to be alive, which Deputy Master Linwood characterized as a complex web of fraud and deception.

Legal proceedings revealed that the orchestrator of the scheme was Tony Ashikodi, a convicted fraudster responsible for the attempt to seize Ms. Ashimola’s estate. Mr. Ashikodi was found to have produced forged documents, including a death certificate and a marriage certificate. The court acknowledged that Ashimola had left the UK for Nigeria in October 2018 and had never returned since her departure. The fraudulent power of attorney was ultimately annulled, preserving Ms. Ashimola’s rightful ownership of her property.

Deputy Master Linwood stated during the ruling that the alleged death was part of a larger scheme orchestrated by Ashikodi to gain control of Ashimola’s property. The court dismissed all claims made against Ashimola based on fraudulent documentation and confirmed her identity through passport photographs, despite challenges arising from visa issues that prevented her from attending in person. The total legal costs of the case have reportedly exceeded £150,000, which may outweigh the value of the property itself.

The case of June Ashimola underscores the complexities of legal fraud and identity theft, particularly in regard to property rights. Following a thorough investigation, the UK High Court determined the legitimacy of Ms. Ashimola’s claims and effectively protected her ownership of her estate. This ruling serves as a reminder of the severe repercussions of fraudulent activities and the importance of validating legal documentation. Ultimately, justice was served, reinstating Ms. Ashimola’s rightful ownership of her home.

Original Source: punchng.com