A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday sentenced Courage Ipaka to two years imprisonment for impersonating Nigerian musician Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour N’abania, and duping a United States citizen, Mrs. Yvelte Thompson, of $53,000.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu convicted Ipaka after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Prosecution counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, led EFCC investigator Azibagiri Ekpar in evidence against the defendant.
Ekpar told the court that Ipaka impersonated Flavour by promising to organize shows in the United States and receiving payment through his Bitcoin wallets. The EFCC got wind of the fraud after a petition was filed by one Eyitayo Abiodun and others on behalf of the victim.
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“We invited Flavour, who honoured the invitation and claimed innocence of the allegations. Upon investigation, we discovered that one Ipaka Courage, who lives in Benin City, Edo State, was the perpetrator,” Ekpar said.
Ipaka admitted to impersonating Flavour and obtaining $53,000 from the US citizen in 2021. He wired the funds through Bitcoin wallets and converted them in his Access Bank account, receiving the value in Naira. The EFCC recovered N7.9 million from Ipaka through Zenith and Access Bank manager’s cheques.
Justice Dipeolu sentenced Ipaka to two years imprisonment with an option of a fine of N2 million. The judge also forfeited the sum of N7.9 million to Mrs. Thompson.
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