A federal high court in Lagos has sentenced Courage Ipaka, who impersonated singer Flavour, to two years in prison.
Ipaka was found guilty of using Flavour’s identity to defraud Yvelte M. Thompson, a U.S.-based woman, of $53,000.
The investigation, led by EFCC investigator Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, revealed that Ipaka promised to organize shows in the U.S. and received payment through Bitcoin wallets.
The probe began after a petition from Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun and others on behalf of the victim. Flavour was invited for questioning but denied any involvement.
The investigation uncovered that Ipaka, residing in Benin City, admitted to impersonating Flavour and securing $53,000 from Thompson in 2021. He transferred the funds via Bitcoin, converting them to Naira in his Access Bank account.
A total of N7.9 million was recovered from Ipaka through Zenith and Access Bank manager’s cheques.
Judge Dehinde Dipeolu sentenced Ipaka to two years in prison, with an option to pay a fine of N2 million. Additionally, Ipaka was ordered to forfeit the recovered N7.9 million to Thompson.