Court jails man who impersonated Nigerian musician Flavour to defraud US citizen of $53,000

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday sentenced Courage Ipaka to two years in prison for impersonating Nigerian musician Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour N’abania, and defrauding a United States citizen, Mrs. Yvelte Thompson, of $53,000.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu sentenced Ipaka after he pleaded guilty to two charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Counsel Suleiman Suleiman led EFCC investigator Azibagiri Ekpar in giving evidence against the accused.

Ekpar told the court that Ipaka impersonated Flavour by promising to host shows in the United States and received payment through his Bitcoin wallet. The EFCC became aware of the scam after a petition was filed by Eyitayo Abiodun and others on behalf of the victim.

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“We invited Flavour, who honoured the invitation and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Upon investigation, we discovered that one Ipaka Courage, who resides in Benin City, Edo State, was the perpetrator,” Ekpar said.

Ipaka admitted impersonating Flavour and obtained $53,000 from the US citizen in 2021. He transferred the funds through a Bitcoin wallet and converted them to his Access Bank account, receiving the amount 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 confiscated N7.9 million from Mrs Thompson.

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