Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled October 25 for a crucial update on the health status of Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive from Binance, following his absence during the continuation of his trial.
Gambaryan is currently facing substantial money laundering charges totaling $35.4 million, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). During the court proceedings, Gambaryan was noticeably absent, and both the defense and prosecution were left uninformed regarding the circumstances of his nonappearance.
Justice Nwite paused the session, granting the involved parties time to determine the reason behind the absence of the second defendant. Upon resuming, the judge expressed his willingness to advance with proceedings, which included the continuation of cross-examination.
Prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, informed the court that Gambaryan was undergoing treatment at a hospital, indicating that the correctional facility would provide further details. A representative from the correctional center testified that Gambaryan was seriously ill and could not be presented in court.
Defense counsel Mark Mordi requested an adjournment until the following week, to provide the court with an update on Gambaryan’s health situation. Mordi emphasized the need for proper medical attention for his client, who was reported to require critical medical care for a herniated disc, alongside psychiatric support due to depression and anxiety.
Iheanacho did not contest the request for adjournment, acknowledging the importance of health concerns while expressing the desire for the case’s progress.
With both parties in agreement, Justice Nwite postponed the trial until October 25 for further assessment of Gambaryan’s health condition.
Previously, Mordi had sought a six-week bail for Gambaryan to allow for appropriate medical treatment outside of the correctional facility, citing insufficient medical care while in custody. However, Iheanacho opposed the bail request, arguing that the defense was overstating the severity of Gambaryan’s health issues and asserting that treatment could be provided within the correctional facility.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite denied the bail application, stating that esteemed medical professionals were already caring for Gambaryan’s health needs. However, he mandated the Nigerian Correctional Service to transfer Gambaryan to a reputable hospital in Abuja for treatment under secure supervision for a period of three days to two weeks.
