A combined photo of James Katung Kantiyok and Access Bank logo
By Victory Oghene
Few days after the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned a former Head of Operations at Access Bank Nigeria Plc, Obinna Nwaobi, before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court in Enugu for allegedly forging and diverting the sum of $510,000 belonging to a customer of the bank, another former staff of the bank, James Katung Kantiyok, has been dragged before Justice M.J. Zubairu of the Federal High Court in Gombe over alleged unlawful possession and criminal breach of trust involving $105,000 and N2 million. These developments have sent shock waves through the spines of some of the lender’s customers who are currently at a crossroads over the safety of their funds.
Kantiyok, identified as a former Head of the Bullion Unit of the bank, was arraigned on a seven-count charge filed by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.
The Commission alleged that between April 2024 and June 2025, the defendant unlawfully took possession of the funds, which were believed to be proceeds of criminal breach of trust.
One of the charges reads that the defendant, “being a staff of Access Bank Plc did directly or indirectly retain, or take possession or control of the sum of $105,000, which you knowingly or reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.”
Another count alleges he unlawfully retained N2 million during the same period, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Kantiyok pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following his plea, prosecution counsel Abubakar Aliyu requested a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a correctional facility.
Defence counsel Luka Musa informed the court of a pending bail application already served on the prosecution.
Justice Zubairu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N70 million with two sureties in like sum.
One surety must be a civil servant or public officer on the Directorate cadre at the federal, state or agency level, while the second must be a resident of Gombe State with reputable standing.
The court also ordered Kantiyok to surrender his international passport and report monthly to the EFCC office in Gombe—or another EFCC state office of his choice—on the last Friday of every month.
Any intention to travel outside the jurisdiction must be communicated to the EFCC in advance.
The matter was adjourned to March 3 and 4, 2026, for commencement of trial.
