The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Audu Ishida, also known as Baddie Kylemilli, with internet crime.
According to a statement from Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity at the EFCC, Ishida faces a single charge involving impersonation, retention of proceeds from crime, and money laundering. The case is being heard by Justice Hauwa’u Buhari of the Federal High Court in Kaduna State.
The charge reads: “That you Audu Ishida (Baddie Kylemilli) on or about the 2nd of June, 2024 in Jos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, retained the total sum of $50 USD from your victim which you reasonably ought to have known, forms parts of proceeds of an unlawful act and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 20(a) of the Money Laundering(Prevention And Prohibition)Act,2022 and punishable under Section 20(b) of the same Act.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charge, prompting prosecution counsel, M.E Eimonye to pray the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS). Defence counsel, Umar Usman did not raise any objection.
Justice Buhari has ordered Audu Ishida to be held at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kaduna and has scheduled the case to begin on November 7, 2024.
Ishida was apprehended along with other members of an internet fraud ring in Jos, Plateau State, following an intelligence-led raid by EFCC operatives from the Kaduna Zonal Command.
The investigation revealed that Ishida created fraudulent online video content and dating sites to deceive unsuspecting victims.
He reportedly received the proceeds from his crimes via gift cards, which he traded online using an FSS card app in foreign currency. These funds were then converted to naira and deposited into his bank accounts.