The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Courage Ipaka to two years imprisonment for impersonating popular Nigerian singer Chinedu Okoli, known as Flavour N’abania, in a fraud scheme that deceived a U.S. citizen out of $53,000.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu delivered the verdict on Tuesday after Ipaka pleaded guilty to two charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court also provided Ipaka with the option to pay a ₦2 million fine instead of serving the prison term. Additionally, the judge ordered the forfeiture of ₦7.9 million to the victim.
During the trial, EFCC Prosecutor Suleiman Suleiman presented evidence through investigator Azibagiri Ekpar, who detailed how Ipaka impersonated the singer to defraud the victim. Ekpar explained that Ipaka pretended to be Flavour and claimed he would organize shows in the United States, receiving payments through his Bitcoin wallets.
The fraud was uncovered after a petition was filed by Eyitayo Abiodun and others on behalf of the victim, Yvelte M. Thompson. Following the investigation, the EFCC discovered that Ipaka was the real culprit, not Flavour, who had denied any involvement in the scam.
Ipaka admitted to the crime during the investigation, revealing that he had converted the stolen funds into naira and deposited them into his Access Bank account. The EFCC recovered ₦7.9 million from Ipaka’s accounts through manager’s cheques from Zenith and Access banks.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Ipaka to two years imprisonment but offered the alternative of a fine, while also ensuring the recovery of funds for the victim.