By Rismadarvoice, 21 November 2025
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 over alleged unlawful possession and criminal breach of trust involving $105,000 and ₦2 million.
Kantiyok, a former Head of the Bullion Unit at a new-generation bank, was brought before the court on a seven-count charge filed by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.
He is accused of diverting the funds while serving with the bank between April 2024 and June 2025.
One of the charges reads: “That you, James Katung Kaltiyok, being a staff of Access Bank Plc, sometimes between April 2024 and June 2025 in Gombe State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly or indirectly retain or take possession or control of 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… ”
Another charge alleges his possession and control of ₦2,000,000, also said to be proceeds of criminal breach of trust.
Kantiyok pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel Abubakar Aliyu requested a trial date and sought an order remanding the defendant in a correctional facility.
Defence counsel, Luka Musa, however, notified the court of a pending bail application already served on the prosecution.
Justice Zubairu granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦70 million with two sureties in like sum.
The first surety must be a Federal or State civil servant on Directorate cadre or equivalent and must enter into a recognised bond for the bail sum.
The second surety must be a reputable resident of Gombe State.
The court also ordered Kantiyok to deposit his international passport and report to the EFCC office in Gombe or another EFCC office of his choice on the last Friday of every month.
Any intention to leave the court’s jurisdiction must be communicated to the EFCC in advance.
Justice Zubairu adjourned the case to March 3 and 4, 2026, for commencement of trial.
