By Obinna Uballa
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Chinese national, Zhang Wen Hao, before the Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Mararaba for allegedly using Access Bank account to commit fraud.
Hao was brought before Justice Ibrahim Shekarau on a one-count charge bordering on cheating, according to the anti-graft agency.
During the court session, the prosecution outlined the circumstances surrounding the alleged offence, accusing the defendant of inducing a Nigerian citizen to open a bank account that was allegedly intended for unlawful activities.
The charge stated that Hao, sometime in March 2023 in Suleja, within the jurisdiction of the court, allegedly persuaded one Paul Yichol with the sum of N1,000 to open bank account number 1715754475 in his name with Access Bank.
According to the prosecution, the account was allegedly opened for the purpose of carrying out illicit financial transactions.
The charge read in part: “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 the same for unlawful activity, thereby committing 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, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Taiwo Aromolaran, urged the court to fix a date for trial to enable the prosecution present witnesses and evidence to support its case.
However, defence counsel, Michael Ukatu, made an oral application for bail on behalf of the defendant, requesting the court to grant his client bail pending the determination of the case.
Justice Shekarau did not immediately rule on the bail application. Instead, the judge adjourned the matter to allow the court to properly consider arguments relating to the request.
The court subsequently fixed March 12, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application.
Pending the ruling on bail, the judge ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.
