Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday denied the bail application of detained Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan.
Gambaryan’s Counsel, Mordi had on September 4, 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.
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 ruling on the bail application till October 9, 2024.
But the court failed to sit as the ruling was further adjourned till today (Friday).
In his ruling on Friday, Nwite stated that the fresh bail application by Gambaryan constitutes an abuse of court process, as he has a pending appeal on his first bail.
Nwite held that since an appeal has been filed, a lawyer is restrained from re-litigating, especially having not withdrawn that appeal.
“On this leg alone, this bail application is bound to fail,” he said.
The judge also held that the current bail application presents no new facts on his health adding that the Federal Government has shown that they are capable of providing proper medical care to him.
Relying on the medical records, he noted that renowned Nigerian medical experts are already managing Gambaryan’s health.
However, the court ordered the Nigerian Correctional Service to refer Gambaryan to any standard hospital in Abuja under security supervision.
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 remained in custody, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the regional manager for Binance in Africa on March 24, escaped, using a smuggled passport.