The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Abuja Zonal Directorate, has arraigned a Chinese national, Zhang Wen Hao, before Justice Ibrahim Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Mararaba over an alleged fraud-related offence.
The defendant was brought before the court on a one-count charge bordering on cheating.
According to the charge, Zhang allegedly induced Paul Yichol with the sum of N1,000 to open bank account number 1715754475 in his name with Access Bank Plc. The account, prosecutors said, was intended to be used for unlawful activities.
The charge stated that the alleged act occurred in March 2023 in Suleja and contravenes Section 320 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria, punishable under Section 322 of the same law.
When the charge was read to him in court, Zhang pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, prosecution counsel Taiwo Aromolaran requested the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial. Counsel to the defendant, Michael Ukatu, however, made an oral application for bail.
In his ruling, Justice Shekarau adjourned the matter to 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.
