EFCC arraigns Chinese national for alleged cheating in Nasarawa
Chinese National Arraigned on Cheating Charges in Nasarawa State
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Zhang Wen Hao, a Chinese national, before Justice Ibrahim Shekarau at the Nasarawa State High Court in Mararaba.
Zhang is facing a single charge of cheating. The charge alleges that in March 2023, at Suleja, he induced a local resident, Paul Yichol, to open an account with Access Bank PLC in his name using an amount of one thousand Naira. This action is purportedly intended for unlawful activities and contravenes Section 320 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria, which is punishable under Section 322 of the same law.
During the court proceedings, Zhang pleaded not guilty to the allegations. Following his plea, prosecution attorney Taiwo Aromolaran requested a date to commence the trial. Aromolaran expressed the prosecution’s readiness to present its case and urged the court to ensure the trial moves forward promptly.
In a separate motion, Zhang’s lawyer, Michael Ukatu, requested bail for his client. Justice Shekarau adjourned the session to March 12, 2026, for a hearing on the bail application, while ordering that Zhang be remanded in EFCC custody until that date. Ukatu emphasized his client’s willingness to comply with any bail conditions, urging the court to consider granting him temporary release pending trial.
