In a shocking turn of events, a Nigerian woman, June Ashimola, who was falsely declared dead, has appeared via videolink before a UK High Court to reclaim ownership of her £350,000 home in Woolwich, southeast London.

Ashimola, who had been presumed dead since February 2019, stunned the court by proving she was alive and the victim of an elaborate fraud. Appearing before Deputy Master John Linwood, she exposed a sophisticated scam aimed at stealing her property.

How the Scam Unfolded

The court heard that after Ashimola was wrongly declared deceased, Power of Attorney over her estate was granted to Ruth Samuel on behalf of a man named Bakare Lasisi, who claimed to have married Ashimola in 1993. However, after reviewing the evidence, the judge ruled that the marriage was fake and that Lasisi never existed.

Records show that Ashimola left the UK for Nigeria in 2018 and had not returned. By October 2022, Samuel had been given legal control over her estate, acting on behalf of the fictitious Lasisi.

Convicted Fraudster Behind the Plot

The mastermind behind this shocking deception was revealed to be Tony Ashikodi, a convicted fraudster who had previously served three years in prison for property-related fraud in 1996. The judge found that Ashikodi orchestrated the entire scheme using forged documents, impersonation, and intimidation to seize control of Ashimola’s home.

Judge Declares Ashimola Alive, Exposes Fraud

Despite being unable to appear in person due to visa restrictions, Ashimola’s identity was verified through passport photographs. The judge, dismissing the fraudulent claims, ruled:

“June Ashimola is alive, and the death certificate was forged. Mr. Lasisi does not exist, and the alleged marriage certificate was fraudulent. The Power of Attorney granted to Samuel was obtained through fraud.”

Furthermore, the court found that both Ashikodi and Samuel had either directly participated in forging documents or knowingly relied on them.

Legal Victory: Ashimola Reclaims Her Home

With the fraud exposed, the judge revoked the Power of Attorney, ensuring Ashimola retained rightful ownership of her £350,000 property. However, the legal battle has come at a significant cost—court proceedings have exceeded £150,000, raising concerns that legal expenses might overshadow the home’s equity.

This jaw-dropping case highlights the dangers of property fraud and the lengths criminals will go to manipulate the legal system.