21 hours ago
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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.
Zhang faces a one-count charge of cheating, according to the charge sheet.
“That you, Zhang Wen Hao, sometime in March 2023 at Suleja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable 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.”
During the hearing, Zhang pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following his plea, prosecution counsel, Taiwo Aromolaran, requested the court to fix a date to commence trial.
Speaking after the arraignment, Aromolaran said, “The prosecution is ready to present its case, and we are seeking the court’s intervention to ensure the trial proceeds without delay.”
Meanwhile, Zhang’s counsel, Michael Ukatu, filed an oral application seeking bail for his client.
Justice Shekarau adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that Zhang be remanded in the custody of the EFCC until then.
Ukatu, on his part, stated, “We believe our client will comply with all conditions of bail, and we urge the court to consider granting him temporary liberty pending trial.”
EFCC arraigns Chinese national for alleged cheating in Nasarawa
