Singer Flavour’s Impersonator Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for $53,000 Fraud
In a landmark case, a federal high court in Lagos has sentenced Courage Ipaka, a self-proclaimed impersonator of popular Nigerian singer, Flavour, to two years in prison for defrauding a United States-based woman of $53,000. Ipaka used Flavour’s identity to promise the victim that he would organize shows in America, and she paid him through his Bitcoin wallets.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) led the investigation against Ipaka, which revealed that he had admitted to impersonating Flavour and obtaining the money from the victim in 2021. The defendant had promised to organize shows in America and received payment from the victim, which he then converted into his Access Bank account.
According to the EFCC investigator, Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, the defendant had promised to organize shows in America and received payment from the victim through his Bitcoin wallets. Following a petition received from Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun and others on behalf of the victim, the EFCC invited Flavour, who claimed innocence of the allegations. However, upon investigation, it was discovered that Ipaka Courage, who lives in Benin City, was the perpetrator.
The court, presided over by Judge Dehinde Dipeolu, sentenced Ipaka to two years imprisonment with an option of a fine of N2 million. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of the sum of N7.9 million recovered from the defendant through Zenith and Access Bank manager’s cheques to the victim, Yvelte M. Thompson.
The sentencing of Courage Ipaka serves as a reminder of the consequences of fraudulent activities and the importance of protecting individuals from such crimes. The EFCC’s efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice demonstrate its commitment to combating financial crimes in Nigeria.
