“Internet Fraudster Sentenced to Two Years for Impersonating Flavour”

Nigerian musician Chinedu Okoli, better known as Flavour, has reason to smile after a university graduate who impersonated him to defraud a U.S. citizen of $53,000 has been sentenced to two years in prison. The sentencing took place on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, with Justice Dehinde I. Dipeolu presiding.

Ikpaka Courage, a Philosophy graduate, faced charges from the Lagos Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for cybercrimes and money laundering. According to the EFCC, Courage committed the crime in April 2021 by fraudulently obtaining $53,000 from Mrs. Yvette M. Thompson by pretending to be Flavour.

The charges against Courage are based on Section 18(2)(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. He pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read in court. Following his guilty plea, the prosecution presented a witness, Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, an EFCC operative, to provide details on the case.

Courage’s conviction marks a significant step in tackling cybercrime and financial fraud, with justice being served for the victim and the integrity of individuals like Flavour upheld.