By Okonkwo Sandra
The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Courage Ikpaka to two years imprisonment for impersonating popular Nigerian musician, Flavour Nabania, and duping a United States citizen, Mrs Yvelte M. Thompson, of $53,000.
Ikpaka was convicted on Tuesday, September 3, after pleading guilty to a two-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court also gave him an option of a fine of N2 million and ordered the forfeiture of N7.9 million recovered from him to the victim.
According to the EFCC, Ikpaka impersonated Flavour by promising to organize shows in the US and received payment through his Bitcoin wallets. The commission got wind of the fraud after a petition was written by Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun and others on behalf of the victim.
During the trial, the EFCC investigator, Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, told the court that Ikpaka admitted to impersonating Flavour and obtaining $53,000 from the US citizen in 2021.
The sum of N7.9 million was recovered from Ikpaka’s bank accounts and will be forfeited to the victim.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu sentenced Ikpaka to two years imprisonment, noting that the defendant’s actions were deceitful and caused financial harm to the victim.
