By Jesusemen Oratokhai.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Courage Ipaka, an impersonator of singer Flavour, to two years imprisonment for defrauding a US-based lady, Yvelte M. Thompson, of $53,000.
Ipaka used Flavour’s identity to promise the victim shows in America and received payment through his Bitcoin wallets. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigated the case after receiving a petition from Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun and others on behalf of the victim.
During the investigation, Flavour denied involvement, and the EFCC discovered that Ipaka, residing in Benin City, was the perpetrator. Ipaka admitted to impersonating Flavour and receiving $53,000 from the victim in 2021 through Bitcoin wallets, which he converted to Naira and deposited into his Access Bank account.
The EFCC recovered N7.9 million from Ipaka through Zenith and Access Bank manager’s cheques. Presiding Judge Dehinde Dipeolu sentenced Ipaka to two years imprisonment with an option of a N2 million fine and ordered the forfeiture of N7.9 million to the victim, Yvelte M. Thompson.”
