The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Courage Ikpaka to two years in prison for defrauding a U.S. citizen, Mrs. Yvelte M. Thompson, of $53,000 by impersonating the Nigerian musician Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour N’abania.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu handed down the sentence on Tuesday after Ikpaka pleaded guilty to a two-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During the trial, EFCC investigator Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, led by prosecution counsel Suleiman Suleiman, provided evidence against Ikpaka. Ekpar testified that Ikpaka had impersonated Flavour, promising to organize shows in the United States and receiving payments through Bitcoin wallets.

The fraud was uncovered after a petition was filed by Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun and others on behalf of the victim. Ekpar stated, "We invited Flavour, who cooperated with the investigation and denied any involvement. Our investigation led us to Ikpaka Courage in Benin City, who admitted to impersonating Flavour and defrauding the woman of $53,000 in 2021."

Ikpaka converted the funds into Naira and deposited them into his Access Bank account. The EFCC recovered ₦7.9 million from the defendant through manager's cheques from Zenith and Access Bank.

After reviewing the evidence and Ikpaka's guilty plea, Justice Dipeolu sentenced him to two years in prison with the option of a ₦2 million fine. Additionally, the judge ordered the forfeiture of the ₦7.9 million recovered from Ikpaka to Mrs. Thompson.

Counts 1 and 2 of the charge read:

“That you, IKPAKA COURAGE, sometime in April 2021 in Lagos. within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court directly made a false statement wherein you held yourself out as a Nigerian entertainer by name “Chinedu Okoli a.k.a. Flavour N’abania” on your Telegram Account, knowing same to be false and with intent that the representation is relied upon for the purpose of procuring the issuance of financial instruments to yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc} Act, 2015.

“That you, IKPAKA COURAGE, sometime in April 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly retained the sum of $53,000 in your Access Bank Pic account number 0108866415, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity, to wit: dishonest conversion of the said sum, property of Mrs Yvelte M. Thompson, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(G) and punishable under Section 18 {3} of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”