The news:
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly contested the severity of health claims made by the family and legal representatives of Tigran Gambaryan, a top executive at Binance currently detained in Nigeria on money laundering charges.
- Gambaryan's family and legal team have previously argued that his health has deteriorated significantly during his detention, even claiming that he’s bedridden due to a herniated disc.
- However, during a hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, September 2, 2024, the EFCC painted a different picture.
Ekene Iheanacho, the EFCC’s lead counsel, told Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja that Gambaryan’s health condition is not as bad as portrayed.
He informed the court that Gambaryan, who has lived with the disc issue for over a decade, had been observed walking within the detention facility, contradicting claims that he is unable to move and confined to a bed.
This was said in response to Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi SAN, fresh bail application on medical grounds, citing the alleged worsening of his client’s condition due to inadequate medical care.
In a statement released on August 26, 2024, Gambaryan’s family accused Nigerian authorities of neglecting Gambaryan's health needs, leading to muscle atrophy and the need for blood thinners to prevent clots.
Iheanacho also countered these claims, stating that Nigerian authorities have provided Gambaryan with necessary medical attention, including hospital visits.
He emphasised that his legal team had exaggerated Gambaryan’s condition to secure his release on bail.
The development is part of an ongoing legal battle involving Gambaryan and another Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who face charges of money laundering in connection with illegal activities in Nigeria. Techpoint Africa reported that the trial has been set for October 11, 2024.
Previously, 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 neither produce the medical report of Gambaryan nor appear in court.
The court had ordered the doctor to submit the medical reports of Gambaryan after his lawyer drew attention to his health challenges, noting that he had come to court in a wheelchair at least once.
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Presiding over the hearing, Justice Nwite adjourned the matter to September 4, 2024, for further proceedings.
