Court remands Chinese man over N1,000 Access Bank’s account

 

The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Chinese national, Zhang Wen Hao, before Justice Ibrahim Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court sitting in Mararaba.

A statement issued by the anti-graft body on Friday, said Zhang was brought before the court 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 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.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following his plea, prosecution counsel Taiwo Aromolaran asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.

However, counsel to the defendant, Michael Ukatu, made an oral application seeking bail for his client.

Justice Shekarau subsequently adjourned the case until March 12, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.