…As Court Adjourns Ruling On Bail Application
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, insisted that detained Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan, is getting proper medical attention in custody.
Counsel for the anti-graft agency, Ekene Iheanacho, made this known while arguing on a bail application filed by Gambaryan through his lawyer, Mark Mordi.
The Nigerian Government accused Binance Holdings Limited of concealing the origin of their alleged unlawful financial proceeds, totalling $35,400,000, 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, fled the country using a smuggled passport.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Gambaryan’s Counsel, Mordi, moved his fresh bail application filed on August 28, 2024, saying his client’s health was deteriorating, adding that he needed 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.
The lawyer insisted that there was no need to take him out of the Kuje Correctional facility as he would continue to receive proper medical care.
He said “On 29th August, we received a medical report of Gambaryan from Nizamiye Hospital and the report indicated that he had been provided adequate treatment including an 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 than two Neurosurgeons at the state house clinic annex. The report indicated that he was dissatisfied, and refused medication to force his transfer. He was discharged with no obvious deterioration of his medical health” Iheanacho 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 from both counsels, adjourned rulling on the bail application till October 9, 2024