The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Courage Ikpaka to two years in prison for defrauding an American, Mrs. Yvelte M. Thompson, of $53,000 by impersonating Nigerian musician Chinedu Okoli, widely known as Flavour N’abania.
On September 3, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu convicted Ikpaka after he pleaded guilty to two counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Prosecution counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, presented evidence from EFCC investigator Azibagiri Dan Ekpar. The court heard that Ikpaka posed as Flavour, promising to arrange shows in the United States and collecting payments through Bitcoin wallets.
Ekpar explained that the EFCC became aware of the scam after receiving a petition from Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun and others on behalf of the victim. “We invited Flavour, who confirmed he was not involved. Our investigation revealed that Ikpaka, residing in Benin City, was the perpetrator. He confessed in his statement to impersonating Flavour and obtaining $53,000 from Mrs. Thompson in 2021. He transferred the funds through Bitcoin and converted them to Naira. We recovered N7.9 million from his bank accounts.”
After Ikpaka’s guilty plea and a review of the evidence, Justice Dipeolu sentenced him to two years in prison with an option of a N2 million fine. Additionally, the judge ordered the forfeiture of the recovered N7.9 million to Mrs. Thompson.
The charges read: “That you, IKPAKA COURAGE, in April 2021 in Lagos, falsely represented yourself as the Nigerian entertainer ‘Chinedu Okoli a.k.a. Flavour N’abania’ on your Telegram account, intending to deceive and obtain financial benefits, thereby violating Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
That you, IKPAKA COURAGE, in April 2021 in Lagos, unlawfully retained $53,000 in your Access Bank account, which you should have known was part of the proceeds of your criminal activity, specifically the dishonest conversion of funds belonging to Mrs. Yvelte M. Thompson, thereby contravening Section 18(2)(g) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
