The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Chinese national, Zhang Wen Hao, for dishonestly inducing someone to open a bank account for commiting crimes.
He was arraigned on one count of deception before judge Ibrahim Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court in Mararaba.
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EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed the development in a statement on Friday.
The EFCC accused him of “intentionally inducing 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”.
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According to the prosecution, the defence committed in March 2023 in Suleja, near Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
The offence, the EFCC said, is “contrary to Section 320 of the Penal Code Law of Northern Nigeria and punishable under Section 322 of the same Law.”
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
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Following the plea, the prosecution lawyer, Taiwo Aromolaran, asked the judge for a date to commence trial, while the defence lawyer, Michael Ukatu, made an oral application for bail.
Judge Shekarau adjourned the matter until 12 March 2026 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.
Under the Penal Code applicable in Northern Nigeria, inducing another person for a fraudulent end constitutes an offence of deception or cheating. Section 320 of the law criminalises acts of deception intended to dishonestly obtain property or facilitate illegal activity.
Section 322 of the law prescribes as punishment for the offence an imprisonment of maximum of three years or with fine or with both.
The case adds to the growing incidence of Chinese national facing fraud charges in Nigeria.
PREMIUM TIMES has previously reported several cases involving Chinese citizens prosecuted in Nigeria for financial and economic offences.
In June last year, the Federal High Court in Lagos jailed 23 Chinese nationals for cyberterrorism and internet fraud linked to a large syndicate. Weeks later, another eight Chinese nationals were sentenced on similar charges.
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The following month, July, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced eight Chinese nationals to one year in prison each for cyberterrorism and internet fraud in connection with a massive transnational cryptocurrency scam uncovered in December 2024.
Also, in August last year, the Nigerian Immigration Service deported 42 Chinese and Philippine nationals convicted of cyber fraud and Ponzi schemes following EFCC prosecutions.
Experts have called on the Nigerian government to address socio-economic situations and gaps in the legal framework and enforcement that make Nigeria a preferred destination for foreigners to carry out their fradulent activities.
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