Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday rejected a fresh bail application for detained Binance Holdings executive, Tigran Gambaryan, who is facing charges of laundering $35.4 million.
Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi (SAN), argued that his client’s health was in critical condition, requiring surgery for a herniated disc and psychiatric care for depression and anxiety. Mordi requested a six-week bail period to allow Gambaryan to receive adequate medical treatment outside of prison, stating that care within the correctional facility was insufficient.
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, opposed the motion, arguing that Gambaryan’s condition was not severe enough to justify bail. He stated that Gambaryan had been treated at top medical institutions, including the State House Clinic and Nizamiye Hospital, and noted that Gambaryan had refused treatment and medication at these facilities.
Iheanacho further stressed that Gambaryan was under the care of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) health experts, asserting that his health complaints could be managed in detention. “Experts have been engaged, and the NCS is taking care of him. The results so far show no serious illness,” Iheanacho said, adding that complaints had also been sent to the National Security Adviser.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite denied the bail request but ordered the NCS to refer Gambaryan to a standard hospital in Abuja for treatment for three days to two weeks, under security supervision. The case was adjourned to October 18, 2024, and further hearings are set for November 22 and 25, 2024.
