A Nigerian woman who was falsely declared dead has successfully challenged an attempt by a convicted fraudster to seize her £350,000 home in London.

June Ashimola, 55, appeared via videolink from Nigeria before the UK High Court to prove she was alive and had fallen victim to an elaborate scam, Daily Mail reports.

The court heard that in 2019, Ms. #Ashimola was falsely pronounced dead while in Nigeria, leading to Power of Attorney over her estate being granted to associates of Tony Ashikodi, a convicted fraudster. Her London property, located in Woolwich, was at the center of the dispute, with claims that her estate had been taken over through forged documents.

A man named Bakare Lasisi, who allegedly married Ms. Ashimola in 1993, was used to justify control over her estate, but the court found that he did not exist.

Despite allegations that sightings of Ms. Ashimola were impersonations, she told the court that the death certificate used against her was fraudulent, and the Power of Attorney granted to Ruth Samuel and others had been improperly obtained.

Deputy Master John Linwood, who presided over the case, ruled that Ms. Ashimola was indeed alive and had been the target of a fraud orchestrated by Mr. Ashikodi. The judge found that documents, including the marriage certificate and emails supposedly from Mr. Lasisi, were fabricated.

Although Ms. Ashimola could not attend court in person due to visa issues, Judge Linwood confirmed her identity using passport photos and found her testimony credible. He ruled that the Power of Attorney was fraudulently acquired and revoked the grant over her estate.

The legal battle, which has already incurred over £150,000 in costs, underscores the risks of property fraud and the exploitation of legal loopholes by fraudsters.

This case highlights the challenges many Nigerians abroad face with property rights and fraud, especially when dealing with legal processes from overseas. With property scams becoming more sophisticated, it serves as a warning for expatriates to safeguard their assets and ensure proper legal documentation.

(Source: Daily Mail)