Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday dismissed a fresh bail application filed by the detained Binance Holdings Limited’s executive, Tigran Gambaryan.
Gambaryan, who is facing $35.4 million in money laundering charges brought against him by the EFCC. His lawyer, Mark Mordi (SAN), previously argued on September 4 that his client’s health is “perilous.”
According to him, Gambaryan needed mental treatment for anxiety and despair in addition to surgery for a herniated disc.
Mordi prayed to the court for a six-week bail for Gambaryan to seek proper medical attention outside the prison, citing inadequate care in custody.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, objected to the defence’s claims, arguing that they exaggerated the severity of Gambaryan’s condition.
He contended that the second defendant could receive treatment while detained at Kuje Correctional Facility, asserting that his health was not serious enough to warrant bail.
He said that a response from the NCoS was received by the NSA on August 29 with the attached report of Nizamiye Hospital, among others.
According to him, the report indicated that Gambaryan has been receiving adequate medical care from the NCoS and has been taken to several hospitals, including the State House Clinic.
Iheanacho restated that there was no evidence to suggest that the Nigerian Correctional Service was unable to handle Gambaryan’s medical condition.
He stated, “Experts have been engaged, and the NCS is taking care of him. The results so far show no serious illness. Complaints have been sent to the National Security Adviser.”
In his ruling on the motion for bail on medical grounds, Justice Nwite rejected the request, noting that “renowned Nigerian medical experts are already managing the second defendant’s health.”
The judge, however, ordered the NCoS to refer Gambaryan to any standard hospital in Abuja for a period of two to three days.
The matter was subsequently adjourned till October 18, 2024, and November 22 and 25, 2024, for the continuation of trial.
