Lagos, NIGERIA — A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced Ikpaka Courage to two years in prison for fraudulently posing as Nigerian musician Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour.
Courage was found guilty of deceiving Mrs. Yvelte M. Thompson, a U.S. citizen, into transferring $53,000 under false pretenses.
Justice Dehinde I. Dipeolu delivered the sentence after Courage, a graduate of Philosophy, confessed to charges of cybercrimes and money laundering. His conviction followed an investigation by the Lagos Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court’s judgment addressed two primary counts:
First, Courage was convicted of making false statements by pretending to be Chinedu Okoli, also known as Flavour N’abania, on his Telegram account. This misrepresentation aimed to procure a financial transaction under fraudulent pretenses. This act was deemed a violation of Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.
The second charge involved Courage retaining $53,000 in his Access Bank Plc account, which was deemed to be the proceeds of his fraudulent activities. This act was in contravention of Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution presented evidence that included testimonies from EFCC operative Azibagiri Dan Ekpar. Ekpar revealed that Courage was arrested on June 10, 2024. Following his arrest, Courage confessed to engaging in a dating scam, using his platform to impersonate Flavour, and forging an international passport data page for the purpose of deceiving Mrs. Thompson.
Courage admitted to creating a fictitious email and Bitcoin wallet to facilitate the scam. The funds were transferred with the false promise that Flavour would perform at a birthday event in Washington, D.C., in July 2021.
Justice Dipeolu sentenced Courage to one year in prison for each count, with the alternative of a fine of N1,000,000 (approximately $1,300) per count. The court also mandated that the sum of $53,000 be forfeited to Mrs. Thompson. Additionally, Courage was ordered to remain in EFCC custody until he meets the conditions of the sentence within 21 days.
In a plea for leniency, Courage’s defense attorney, Bayo A. Phillip, requested that the court temper justice with mercy, highlighting that Courage is a first-time offender who used the proceeds of his crime to further his education rather than living extravagantly.
Courage’s imprisonment marks the conclusion of a significant case in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against cybercrime and financial fraud.
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