Nigerian musician Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour, has expressed relief after a Lagos court sentenced Ikpaka Courage, a Philosophy graduate, to two years in prison for impersonating the singer and defrauding an American woman of $53,000.
The sentence was delivered by Justice Dehinde I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
Courage was arraigned by the Lagos Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges related to cybercrimes and money laundering.
The EFCC revealed that in April 2021, Courage unlawfully obtained $53,000 from Mrs. Yvette M. Thompson, a U.S. citizen, by impersonating Flavour and promising to perform at her birthday party in Washington, D.C.
The offence, which violates Section 18(2)(d) and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, was confessed to by Courage after his arrest on June 10, 2024.
He admitted to participating in a dating scam and using his platform to deceive Mrs. Thompson.
During the trial, EFCC operative Azibagiri Dan Ekpar testified, detailing how Courage’s fraudulent activities were uncovered, leading to his conviction.
While reacting via his Twitter page, Flavour wrote: “One down. Ndi uchu!”
