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Flavour Impersonator Sentenced to Two Years for Defrauding U.S. Woman of $53,000

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A Federal High Court in Lagos has recently handed down a two-year prison sentence to Courage Ipaka for assuming the identity of prominent Nigerian musician Flavour and defrauding a US-based individual, Yvette M. Thompson, of a significant sum totalling $53,000.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spearheaded the investigation, which identified Ipaka’s use of Flavour’s persona to entice the victim into a purported music event organization in the United States, with payments facilitated through Bitcoin transactions.

An investigation ensued after a petition on lodged by Eyitayo Tolulope Abiodun on behalf of Thompson and other concerned parties.

The EFCC, under the guidance of lead investigator Azibagiri Dan Ekpar, contacted the actual Flavour during the inquiry, affirming his non-involvement in the illicit operation.

This pursuit led to the location of Ipaka in Benin City.

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Ipaka admitted to the offence during interrogation, conceding that he misrepresented himself as the artist to perpetrate the fraud.

Notably, the misappropriated funds, channelled through Bitcoin, were eventually converted into Naira and deposited into his Access Bank account, with a total of N7.9 million in traced transactions.

Adhering to the proceedings, it was disclosed that a portion of the embezzled funds had been recuperated through manager’s checks from Zenith and Access Bank.

Presiding over the case, Judge Dehinde Dipeolu sentenced Ipaka to a two-year prison term while offering an alternative fine of N2 million. Furthermore, the court-mandated the restitution of the N7.9 million to Thompson.

This ruling underscores the continuous endeavours of Nigerian authorities to combat the surge of cyber fraud and fraudulent impersonation.

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Entertainment

Wizkid’s Morayo Breaks Streaming Records and Tops Charts in Few Hours of Release

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Wizkid’s latest album, Morayo, has made an explosive impact on the music scene, topping the Apple Music charts with all its tracks occupying the top 17 spots just hours after its release.

This incredible achievement came within 10 hours of the album’s official drop on November 22, 2024.

Dedicated to his late mother, Juliana Morayo Balogun, who passed away in August 2023, Morayo has resonated deeply with fans worldwide.

The emotional tribute to his mother has not only captured the hearts of listeners but also shattered several streaming records.

One of the album’s tracks set a new milestone in Nigeria by gaining an impressive 1.57 million streams on Spotify within its opening day, marking one of the biggest single-day streaming numbers for any Nigerian artist.

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Additionally, the album’s lead single, Piece of My Heart, has made a significant mark, climbing to No. 4 on the U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart and No. 7 on the World Digital Song Sales chart, further proving Wizkid’s global reach.


 

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“I’m Dropping My Family Surname, I Have No Family” – Phyna Disowns Family

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Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner Josephine Ijeoma Otabor, widely known as Phyna, has announced that she is cutting ties with her family and dropping her surname, Otabor.

The Edo-born reality TV star shared this revelation on her verified X (formerly Twitter) account, where she opened up about her struggles and the lack of support she has faced from her family since childhood.

In a heartfelt post, Phyna expressed her frustration and the emotional toll recent events have taken on her.

She wrote, “I am publicly dropping my family surname, Otabor.

It has been proven that I actually have no family, and nobody knows how I came about. I’m still searching for answers.”

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Phyna further explained that her upbringing was filled with challenges, including being moved around among relatives with little care or stability.

Reflecting on her childhood, she said, “Growing up and the way I was tossed around by relatives, I should have suspected, but I guess I was too young.

My head feels like it’s about to explode!”

The reality star revealed that she is currently in a difficult place emotionally and mentally, struggling to process everything she is going through.

She described her current state as one of confusion and deep pain.

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This public statement comes months after Phyna’s father, Mr. Otabor, made headlines by accusing her of neglecting him and the family after she found fame.

The accusations led to widespread discussions about the pressures and expectations placed on celebrities by their families.


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“Don’t Relocate to Africa, the Economy Is in Shambles – Davido”

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Afrobeats superstar Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, has advised African-Americans against relocating to Africa in response to Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the United States.

Speaking on the Big Homies House podcast, Davido addressed the growing trend of African-Americans expressing a desire to leave the U.S. following Trump’s political victory.

While acknowledging the appeal of Africa’s rich culture and growing global influence, he cautioned that the realities on the continent might not align with their expectations.

“It’s not cool back home. The economy now is in shambles,” Davido remarked, shedding light on the struggles faced by many African nations.

He pointed out how economic instability, widespread poverty, and limited opportunities make life challenging for millions of people across the continent.

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The Nigerian artist, known for using his music to showcase African culture, emphasized that his comments were not intended to discourage interest in Africa.

Instead, he wanted to paint a realistic picture of the current situation.

Davido stressed that entertainment is one of the few sectors making Africa appear more appealing on the global stage.

He explained that music, film, and other creative industries have become a smokescreen, often masking the economic and social challenges facing the continent.

“Entertainment is what’s giving Africa a smokescreen to make it look good,” he noted, noticing the stark contrast between the continent’s vibrant cultural output and its harsh economic realities.

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