EFCC Arraigns Chinese National Over Alleged Bank Account Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), 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.

Zhang was brought before the court on a one-count charge bordering on cheating.

According to the charge, the defendant allegedly induced one Paul Yichol with the sum of N1,000 to open a bank account in his name with Access Bank Plc for the purpose of carrying out unlawful financial transactions.

The charge reads: “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 defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Taiwo Aromolaran, asked the court for a date to commence trial. Counsel to the defendant, Michael Ukatu, however made an oral application for bail.

Justice Shekarau 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.