A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Courage Ipaka, who impersonated the popular Nigerian singer Flavour, to two years in prison.
Ipaka was found guilty of using Flavour’s identity to defraud a United States-based woman, Yvelte M. Thompson, of $53,000.
The investigation, led by Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), revealed that Ipaka had promised to organize music shows in the United States. To secure payment, he instructed Thompson to send money through his Bitcoin wallets.
The case came to light when a petition was filed by Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun and others on behalf of the victim. In response, the EFCC invited Flavour, who denied any involvement in the scam. Further investigation identified Ipaka, who resides in Benin City, as the real perpetrator. During questioning, Ipaka admitted to impersonating Flavour and confessed to scamming Thompson out of $53,000 in 2021.
Ipaka reportedly transferred the funds through Bitcoin, which he then converted to Nigerian Naira and deposited into his Access Bank account. The investigation led to the recovery of N7.9 million, which was seized through manager’s cheques from Zenith and Access Banks.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Dehinde Dipeolu, sentenced Ipaka to two years imprisonment. However, Ipaka was given the option to pay a fine of N2 million instead of serving the full prison term. Additionally, the judge ordered the forfeiture of the recovered N7.9 million to the victim, Yvelte M. Thompson.
