The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja Zonal Directorate, has arraigned a Chinese national, Zhang Wen Hao, before the Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Mararaba for allegedly inducing a man identified as Paul Yichol to open a bank account for unlawful purposes, in a case bordering on cheating.
According to the charge filed by the anti-graft agency, Zhang Wen Hao allegedly persuaded Yichol in March 2023 at Suleja to open a bank account with Access Bank Plc, reportedly promising him a payment of ₦1,000.
Investigators allege that the account number 1715754475was intended to be used for unlawful activities, an act said to contravene Sections 320 and 322 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria.
The defendant was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Shekarau on a one-count charge bordering on cheating.
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.”
When the charge was read to him in court, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, the 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, urging the court to grant his client bail pending the hearing and determination of the case.
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 further proceedings.
