In a recent ruling, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced Courage Ipaka to two years in prison for impersonating Nigerian musician Flavour N’abania. Ipaka defrauded Mrs. Yvelte M. Thompson from the U.S. of $53,000.
Ipaka, who admitted guilt, was also given the option to pay a N2 million fine. Additionally, he must return N7.9 million to Mrs. Thompson as restitution for the stolen funds.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovered the scam after Mrs. Thompson filed a complaint. Ipaka had pretended to organize shows in the U.S. and received payments via Bitcoin. The EFCC’s investigation, which included confirming Flavour N’abania’s innocence, led to Ipaka’s arrest in Benin City.
The EFCC recovered N7.9 million from Ipaka’s bank accounts, which had been converted from the stolen $53,000. Ipaka faced charges of making false statements and financial fraud, and he has been sentenced for his crimes.