A Chinese national, Zhang Wen Hao, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Ibrahim Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Mararaba over an alleged bank account fraud.
Zhang was brought before the court by the Abuja Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on a one-count charge bordering on cheating.
According to the charge, the defendant allegedly persuaded one Paul Yichol with the sum of N1,000 to open a bank account in his name with Access Bank Plc, which was allegedly intended to be used for unlawful financial transactions.
The charge stated that the incident occurred sometime in March 2023 in Suleja within the jurisdiction of the court.
“That you, Zhang Wen Hao, sometime in March 2023 at Suleja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did intentionally induce Paul Yichol with One Thousand Naira only to open account number 1715754475 in his name with Access Bank Plc for the purpose of using same for unlawful activity and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria and punishable under Section 322 of the same Law,” the charge read.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the allegation when it was read to him in court.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Taiwo Aromolaran, requested a date for the commencement of trial.
However, counsel to the defendant, Michael Ukatu, made an oral application for bail on behalf of his client.
Justice Shekarau subsequently adjourned the matter until March 12, 2026 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the EFCC pending the determination of the application.
