Binance: Absence Of Judge Stalls Ruling On Gambaryan’s Bail Application
Absence of Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, stalled the ruling on the bail application of detained Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan.
Justice Nwite’s absence is due to a seminar for judges he is attending at the National Judicial Institute (NJI)
The ruling earlier scheduled for today has now been rescheduled for October 11.
At the last adjourned date, Gambaryan’s Counsel, Mordi, moved his fresh bail application filed on August 28, saying his client’s health was deteriorating, adding that he is in need of proper medical care.
EFCC’s Counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, opposed the bail application, insisting that Gambaryan has been given proper medical attention having been taken to top medical institutions, including the State House Clinic and Nizamiye Hospital.
He said Gambaryan has continued to receive proper medical attention as he is being taken on consultations with specialists and neurosurgeons, and showed no deterioration in his condition.
He however said his medical report showed he had rejected medication and had at certain times, refused to cooperate with medical personnel.
The lawyer insisted that there is no need to take him out of the Kuje Correctional facility as he will continue to receive proper medical care.
He said “On 29th August , we received medical report of Gambaryan from Nizamiye hospital and the report indicated that he been provided adequate treatment including invitation of medical experts.
“He was taken to the state house clinic, and was hospitalised for five days, but was resisting medication. The medical report indicated low back pain, but he has stable vitals. He has been taken to more then two Neurosurgeon at the state himself clinic annex.
The report indicated that he was dissatisfied, and refused medication to force a transfer. He was discharged with no obvious deterioration of his medical health” he argued.
Responding, Gambaryan’s lawyer admitted that his client has not been denied medical attention, but said the prison does not have enough facilities to take care of his client who according to him needs surgery.
He therefore prayed the court to grant his bail application his client (Gambaryan) can get adequate medical care, as “He is of no use to anybody if he dies”
Justice Nwite after taking arguments form both counsels, adjourned rulling on the bail application till October 9, 2024
The Nigerian Government accused Binance Holdings Limited of concealing the origin of their alleged unlawful financial proceeds, totalling $35,400,000, an act contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
Binance is also accused of tax evasion, operating without a licence and regulatory compliance.
Gambaryan, who is Binance’s head of financial compliance, is one of two executives arrested in February, in relation to the case.
While Gambaryan has remained in custody, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the regional manager for Binance in Africa on March 24, escaped, using a smuggled passport.
Binance: Absence Of Judge Stalls Ruling On Gambaryan’s Bail Application is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
