$53,000 Scam: Court Sentences Graduate to Two Years for Impersonating Singer Flavour
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday sentenced Ikpaka Courage to two years in prison for impersonating Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour, a renowned Nigerian singer. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported that Courage defrauded Yvelte Thompson, a U.S. citizen, of $53,000.
Courage, a Philosophy graduate, faced a two-count charge of cybercrime and money laundering brought by the Lagos Directorate of the EFCC.
Count One: It was alleged that Ikpaka Courage, in April 2021 in Lagos, falsely presented himself as Chinedu Okoli, aka Flavour N’abania, on his Telegram account. He did this with the intent to deceive and procure financial instruments fraudulently, violating Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
Count Two: The charges also included retaining $53,000 in his Access Bank Plc account, which was obtained through fraudulent means. This amount was considered proceeds from his unlawful activities, contravening Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Courage pleaded guilty to the charges. Following his plea, the prosecution presented Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, an EFCC operative, who provided evidence of Courage’s involvement in a dating scam. Ekpar testified that Courage, arrested on June 10, 2024, confessed to impersonating Flavour N’abania and scamming Yvette Thompson under the pretense of performing at her birthday in Washington DC in July 2021. The funds were transferred through a Bitcoin wallet set up for the crime.
$53,000 Scam: Court Sentences Graduate to Two Years for Impersonating Singer Flavour
Ekpar further revealed that Courage had forged Flavour’s Nigerian international passport data page and created a fictitious email address for communication with the victim. Courage had also restituted N7,900,000 through a manager’s cheque.
The prosecution introduced various pieces of evidence, including Courage’s extrajudicial statement, bank statements, chat printouts, and the Bitcoin wallet statement from Binance. Justice Dipeolu admitted these as exhibits.
Defense counsel Bayo A. Phillip requested leniency, noting that Courage was a first-time offender who had not squandered the proceeds but invested them in his education.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Courage to one year in prison for each count, with an option of a N1,000,000 fine for each count. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the defrauded amount to the petitioner and remanded Courage in EFCC custody until the order was fulfilled within 21 days.
Courage’s legal journey began with his arrest by EFCC operatives for internet fraud, leading to his conviction and subsequent sentencing.