The Federal High Court in Lagos has jailed one Courage Ipaka for impersonating Nigerian singer Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour N’abania.
The convict was sentenced to two years imprisonment for duping a U.S. citizen, Yvelte M. Thompson, of $53,000.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu handed down the sentence on Tuesday after Ipaka pleaded guilty to two counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The judge also gave Ipaka the option of a ₦2 million, fine and ordered the forfeiture of ₦7.9 m to the victim.
The EFCC’s Prosecutor Suleiman Suleiman presented evidence through the investigator, Azibagiri Ekpar, who explained how Ipaka executed the fraud.
“Ipaka impersonated Flavour by claiming he would organise shows in the United States and received payments through his Bitcoin wallets,” Ekpar said.
Ekpar further revealed that the EFCC uncovered the scam after receiving a petition from one Eyitayo Abiodun and others on behalf of Thompson.
“We invited Flavour, who came forward and denied any involvement in the allegations. Our investigation led us to Benin City, where we found that Ipaka Courage was the real culprit,” Ekpar said.
He added, “Ipaka admitted in his statement that he impersonated Flavour and scammed Mrs Thompson of $53,000 in 2021.
“Ipaka said he converted the funds into naira and deposited them into his Access Bank account.
“The sum of N7.9m was recovered from Ipaka’s accounts through the manager’s cheques from Zenith and Access banks.”
Justice Dipeolu, after reviewing the evidence, sentenced Ipaka to two years imprisonment with the option of a fine.
