Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State, Nigeria has ordered a graduate to pay the sum of ₦2 million as option of fine or he would spend 2 years imprisonment for disguising as if he was a popular Nigerian Music star, Chinedu Okoli aka Flavour in April 2021 and acted as a lover boy to defraud an American woman the sum of $53,000.

The convict was arrested in June, 2024 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC after 3 years from the date the crime was committed. As at April 2021 when the crime was committed, the exchange rate of a Dollar to Naira was ₦482. This, likely, the convict defrauded the victim about ₦25.5 million.

According to EFCC, the convict has refunded ₦7.9 million.

Details of the report as presented by EFCC Public Relations Unit via news release on Thursday reads below:

“Justice Dehinde I Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, convicted and sentenced one Ikpaka Courage to two years imprisonment for presenting himself as Chinedu Okoli, also known as Flavour, a Nigerian singer, to dupe a United States of America citizen, Mrs Yvelte M Thompson, of the sum of $53,000.

Courage, a graduate of Philosophy, was arraigned on Tuesday by the Lagos Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a two-count charge bordering on cybercrimes and money laundering.

Count one reads: “That you, Ikpaka Courage, sometime in April, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, directly made a false statement, wherein you held yourself out as a Nigerian entertainer by name “Chinedu Okoli aka Flavour N’abania” on your Telegram account, knowing the same to be false and with intent that the representation is relied upon for the purpose of procuring the issuance of financial instrument to yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.”

Count two reads: “That you, Ikpaka Courage, sometime in April, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, indirectly retained the sum of $53,000 in your Access Bank Plc account number 0108866415, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: dishonest conversion of the said sum, property of Mrs Yvette M Thompson and you thereby committed an offence contrary to 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 to him.

Following his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, S I Suleiman, presented a witness, Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case.
The defendant, Ekpar said, was arrested in Lagos on June 10, 2024.

He added: “Upon his arrest by operatives of the Lagos Directorate, he volunteered his statement.

“In his statement, he confessed to have been involved in a dating scam, and that he used his platform to impersonate Chinedu Okoli aka Flavour N’abania.

“He also confessed to having obtained the sum of $53,000 from one Mrs Yvette M Thompson under the pretence that he would perform on her birthday in Washington DC in July 2021.

“The money was transferred through a Bitcoin wallet he created in order to receive the proceeds of crime.”

In his further review of the facts, Ekpar said: “He also admitted to have forged the Nigerian international passport data page of Mr Chinedu Okoli aka Flavour N’abania and also created a fictitious email address, which he used to communicate with the victim.

“He had restituted the sum of ₦7, 900,000 by raising a managers’ Cheque.”

Suleiman, thereafter, applied to tender, in evidence, the defendant’s extra-judicial statement, and bank’s statement, printout of chats between him and the victim as well as the Bitcoin wallet statement from Binance.

Justice Dipeolu admitted them as exhibits.
Counsel to the convict, Bayo A Phillip, prayed the court to “temper justice with mercy”, adding that “he is a first-time offender and he did not waste the time of the court.

“My Lord, he did not channel the proceeds of his offence into living lavishly; rather, he used it to further his education and is now a graduate of Philosophy.”

Consequently, Justice Dipeolu convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment on count one, with an option of fine of ₦1,000,000.
He was also convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment on count two, with an option of fine of ₦1,000,000.

The Judge ordered that the money be forfeited to the petitioner and also remanded the convict in the EFCC custody pending the fulfillment of the order within 21 days.

Courage’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested by operatives of the Lagos Directorate of the EFCC for internet fraud. He was charged to court and convicted.

Osazuwa Akonedo

Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media professional, author, and consultant. His work spans various sectors of communication and literature: Journalism and Media: He is the founder of OsazuwaAkonedo, which focuses on news analysis and commentary. He also provides consultancy services in media and banking. Literature: He is a published playwright and author of Nigerian literature. One of his notable works is the drama titled The End Shall Tell: What Exam Malpractice Can Cause, which addresses educational and social issues in Nigeria. Reporting: He frequently reports on regional news, particularly concerning Edo State and broader Nigerian current affairs. Credit: Google Gemini AI Mode Osazuwa Akonedo is a Nigerian media creator, journalist, and entrepreneur who engages audiences via news reporting, social media content, music, and a mobile application. Professional Background and Company Osazuwa Akonedo is associated with OSAZUWAAKONEDO LIMITED, a company registered in Nigeria that operates in media consultancy and news services  The company is headquartered in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and has been active in publishing news in various formats including text, audio, video, and photos  Social Media and Online Platforms Osazuwa Akonedo maintains a strong online presence on several platforms: TikTok: Shares news updates and reports, for example, covering police operations in Nigeria  YouTube: Operates a channel where he uploads videos on current affairs and news content  Twitter/X: Active under the handle @akonedo_osazuwa, posting updates on events and news  Facebook: Profiles listing his connection to news and media activities can be found on Facebook  Mobile App: Offers a dedicated mobile application for news access through Google Play (Osazuwa Akonedo News App) providing text, video, and photo news formats  News Reporting and Content He produces news content covering national and local stories, including criminal activities, government updates, and investigative reports   His reporting spans multiple formats, making it accessible to a wide audience through online platforms, mobile apps, and social media  Other Contributions In addition to journalism, Osazuwa Akonedo has also ventured into audio releases, such as “Former Justice Minister Abubakar Malami Begs Nigerians For Justice” released on January 25, 2026   He also hosts podcasts documenting significant events, e.g, NDLEA arrests related to historical criminal cases  Summary Osazuwa Akonedo is a multifaceted media professional engaged in journalism, social media content creation, music, and technology via his news app. He utilizes platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook, and mobile applications to disseminate news and reach audiences both locally and internationally Credit: Azure AI

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