By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former bank official, James Katung Kantiyok, before Justice M. J. Zubairu of the Federal High Court sitting in Gombe for alleged unlawful possession and criminal breach of trust involving $105,000 and N2 million.
In an official signed statement, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the defendant was brought before the court on a seven-count charge filed by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Commission. According to the EFCC, Kantiyok, a former Head of the Bullion Unit of a new generation bank, allegedly took unlawful possession of the funds while serving in that capacity.
One of the charges reads: “That you, James Katung Kaltiyok, being the staff of Access Bank Plc in such capacity, sometimes between April 2024 and June 2025 in Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, the Federal High Court of Nigeria, did directly or indirectly retain or take possession or control of money, the sum of $105,000.00, which you knowingly or reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust; thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act No. 14, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
Another charge states: “That you, James Katung Kantiyok, being a staff of Access Bank Plc in such capacity, sometimes between April 2024 and 2025 in Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, the Federal High Court of Nigeria, did directly or indirectly retain or take possession or control of money, the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000), which you knowingly or reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of your unlawful act, to wit: criminal breach of trust; thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act No. 14, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”
Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecution counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, thereafter requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional Facility. Defence counsel, Luka Musa, informed the court of a pending motion for bail, confirming that the prosecution had been duly served.
After listening to both parties, Justice Zubairu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N17 million, with two sureties in like sum. According to the court, the first surety must be a civil servant or public officer in the service of the Federal Government, the state government, or any recognised agency, holding a Directorate-level position or equivalent, and must enter into a recognised bond for the bail sum. The second surety must be a person of good standing resident in Gombe State.
The court further directed the defendant to surrender his international passport and report monthly to the EFCC office in Gombe or, alternatively, to any EFCC office in a state of his choice on the last Friday of every month. Any intention to leave the jurisdiction of the court or the designated EFCC state must be communicated to the Commission in advance.
Justice Zubairu thereafter adjourned the case to March 3 and 4, 2026, for commencement of trial.
