A Nigerian woman who was falsely declared dead in 2019 has made a shocking appearance in court via videolink to fight off an attempt by a convicted fraudster to seize her £350,000 London home.
The 55-year-old woman, identified as June Ashimola, was reported dead in Nigeria five years ago, leading to a bitter legal dispute over her estate.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, she appeared before a High Court judge, John Linwood, where she vehemently insisted that she was alive and had fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme designed to strip her of her rightful property.
During the hearing, the court was informed that Power of Attorney over her estate—primarily a house in Woolwich—had been fraudulently transferred to individuals connected to a notorious convicted fraudster, Tony Ashikodi.
It was revealed that, in 2022, control of the property was granted to Ms. Ruth Samuel, who was allegedly acting on behalf of a man named Bakare Lasisi, who claimed to be Ashimola’s husband.
However, in a shocking revelation, Judge Linwood ruled that Lasisi did not exist and that the death certificate presented as proof of Ashimola’s demise was entirely fabricated as part of an elaborate scheme to take over her property.
Despite claims that any recent sightings of Ashimola were the work of an impersonator, the judge confirmed her true identity using official passport photos.
Following extensive legal proceedings, Judge Linwood revoked the fraudulent grant, concluding that Ashikodi had masterminded the elaborate fraud scheme in a bid to unlawfully acquire the property.
It was also disclosed that the prolonged legal battle had already cost both parties over £150,000 in legal fees, adding to the complexity and gravity of the case.