Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has denied a new bail application from Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance Holdings, who is facing serious money laundering charges.
Gambaryan is charged with laundering $35.4 million, and his lawyer, Mark Mordi, argued that his client’s health was in a “perilous” state.
Mordi stated that Gambaryan needs surgery for a herniated disc and psychiatric care due to depression and anxiety.
He requested a six-week bail so Gambaryan could seek proper medical attention outside of prison, citing inadequate medical care in custody.
However, Justice Nwite rejected the bail application, stating that Nigerian medical experts were already managing Gambaryan’s health.
The judge ordered that Gambaryan be taken to a standard hospital in Abuja for treatment for a period of three days to two weeks, under security supervision.
During the hearing, Ekele Iheanacho, the lawyer representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, argued against the bail request.
He claimed that Mordi’s assertions about Gambaryan’s health were exaggerated. Iheanacho stated that Gambaryan was receiving adequate treatment at the Kuje Correctional Facility and that his health was not serious enough to justify bail.
Iheanacho noted that Gambaryan had previously received treatment at top medical institutions, including the State House Clinic and Nizamiye Hospital.
He presented a medical report indicating that Gambaryan had refused medication and treatment at the State House Clinic and emphasized that reports from Nizamiye Hospital showed no health deterioration.
He said, “Experts have been engaged, and the Nigerian Correctional Service is taking care of him. The results so far show no serious illness.”
The court has set the next hearing dates for October 18, November 22, and November 25 for the continuation of the trial.
