Lagos, September 4, 2024— A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced Ikpaka Courage to two years in prison for impersonating Nigerian singer Chinedu Okoli, also known as Flavour. Courage, who is a Philosophy graduate, was convicted on charges of cybercrime and money laundering.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Courage deceived a U.S. citizen, Yvelte Thompson, into transferring $53,000 by pretending to be Flavour and promising a performance at Thompson’s birthday party. Courage used a fake identity and forged documents to facilitate the scam.
He was apprehended in Lagos in June 2024 and admitted to the crime, including creating a fake passport and email. The court has ordered the forfeiture of the stolen funds and imposed a fine of N1,000,000 for each count. Courage will remain in EFCC custody until the order is fulfilled.
