The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has countered health claims made by the family and legal team of detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, who is facing money laundering charge before the federal high court in Nigeria .
ln a fresh bail application by Gambaryan’s counsel, Mark Mordi to enable Gambaryan to attend to his health condition ,the family claimed that Gambaryan can no longer walk due to health concerns involving a disk issue which the defendant has been living with for the past 12 years before he came to Nigeria.
And the medical report of his client has not been provided to him as earlier directed by the court.
In a strong opposition the EFCC’s lead counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, told the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite that the health concerns of the Binance executive were not as serious as he has been presenting them.
Ihenacho also emphasized that Nigerian authorities have actually been taking care of the defendant in terms of due diligence, and have taken him to different hospitals, but the medical report is yet to be presented to the court.
He also submitted that prison officials reported that Gambaryan walks within the facility.
Gambaryan however interjected in pains saying the condition has worsen when untreated after several complaints adding that the lack of appropriate treatment has caused him permanent nerve damage, resulting in his current state.
The trial judge , Justice Emeka Nwite after listening to parties in the suit, adjourned the trial to September 4.
The Nigerian government had accused Binance and its executives, Tigran Gambaryan and the fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla, of allegedly conspiring to conceal the origin of financial proceeds from their alleged unlawful activities in Nigeria, including $35,400,000.
Justice Nwite had ordered the Nigerian Correctional Service doctor to produce the medical reports of Tigran Gambaryan, warning the correctional service against noncompliance with the court’s directives.
And on July 30, 2024, Justice Nwite ordered a bench warrant for the arrest of a medical doctor at the health facility of Kuje Correctional Centre, Abraham Ehizojie, for failing to produce the medical report of Gambaryan or appear in court.
He also ordered that Gambaryan be taken to Nizamiye Hospital for a medical checkup for 24 hours, at any time of his choice but under full security.
The case was then adjourned to October 11, 2024, for the continuation of the trial; however, the proceeding was brought forward to September 2, 2024.
FIRS has discharged the executives from its case, isolating Binance ,the executives also instituted a fundamental rights case against agencies of the Nigerian government, citing a violation of their constitutional right to liberty.
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
