Ashimola & Anor v Samuel & Anor [2025] EWHC 502 (Ch) (10 March 2025)

Ashimola & Anor v Samuel & Anor [2025] EWHC 502 (Ch) (10 March 2025)

The grant of letters of administration was obtained on the basis of fraudulent documents, including a false death certificate and questionable marriage certificate. The evidence establishes, on the balance of probabilities, that June Ashimola is alive and the grant was improperly obtained. The court exercises its powers under s.121 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 to revoke the grant.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 502 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: June Ashimola; Claimant: Wasiu Shomotun; Defendant: Ruth Samuel; Defendant: Bakare Olatoye Lasisi
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 March 2025
Procedural Posture
Probate Claim / Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Grant of letters of administration revoked; claim succeeds.
Legal Topics
Revocation of Grant, Fraudulent Documents, Identity, Letters of Administration, Power of Attorney
Probate Property Trusts Revocation of Grant Fraudulent Documents Identity Letters of Administration Power of Attorney

Case Brief

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Parties

June Ashimola

Claimant

Wasiu Shomotun

Claimant

Ruth Samuel

Defendant

Bakare Olatoye Lasisi

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Probate Claim / Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Is June Ashimola alive?
  2. 2 Is the person claiming to be June Ashimola her?
  3. 3 Did Mr Lasisi marry June Ashimola on or about 11th November 1993?

Ratio Decidendi

The grant of letters of administration was obtained on the basis of fraudulent documents, including a false death certificate and questionable marriage certificate. The evidence establishes, on the balance of probabilities, that June Ashimola is alive and the grant was improperly obtained. The court exercises its powers under s.121 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 to revoke the grant.

Court Disposition

Grant of letters of administration revoked; claim succeeds.

Orders

  • Grant of letters of administration issued to Ruth Samuel as attorney for Bakare Olatoye Lasisi on 18 October 2022 is revoked and declared void ab initio.
  • Defendants to pay claimants' costs.