A federal high court in Lagos has sentenced Courage Ipaka to two years in prison for defrauding a U.S.-based woman of $53,000 by impersonating popular singer Flavour.
Ipaka, a resident of Benin City, was convicted for deceiving Yvelte M. Thompson, a U.S. citizen, by promising to organize shows in the United States and accepting payments through Bitcoin wallets.
Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), led the inquiry into Ipaka’s fraudulent activities. The scheme was uncovered after a petition was filed by Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun and others on behalf of Thompson. Ekpar noted, “After receiving the petition, we invited Flavour, who was found innocent of the allegations. Our investigation showed that Ipaka had impersonated him to steal $53,000 from Thompson in 2021. He transferred the funds via Bitcoin wallets and later converted them into Nigerian Naira, depositing them into his Access Bank account.”
The EFCC managed to recover N7.9 million from Ipaka, traced through manager’s cheques from Zenith and Access Bank.
Presiding Judge Dehinde Dipeolu sentenced Ipaka to two years in prison, with an option for a N2 million fine. Additionally, Ipaka has been ordered to forfeit the recovered N7.9 million to Thompson.
