A Nigerian woman falsely declared dead has appeared in court via videolink to stop a convicted fraudster from seizing her £350,000 London home.
June Ashimola, 55, was reported dead in Nigeria in 2019, sparking a legal battle over her estate.
However, she appeared before High Court judge John Linwood, insisting she was alive and a victim of fraud.
The court heard that Power of Attorney over her estate—mainly a house in Woolwich—was fraudulently granted to associates of convicted fraudster Tony Ashikodi.
In 2022, control was given to Ms. Ruth Samuel on behalf of Mr. Bakare Lasisi, who claimed to be her husband.
The judge ruled that Lasisi did not exist and that the death certificate was forged to take over her property.
Despite claims that any sightings of Ashimola were an impersonator, the judge confirmed her identity with passport photos.
Linwood revoked the fraudulent grant, concluding that Ashikodi had orchestrated the scheme. The case had already cost both parties over £150,000 in legal fees.
