Judge’s absence stalls ruling on Binance executive’s bail plea

Ruling on a bail application filed by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of Binance Holdings Limited, was stalled at the federal high court in Abuja on Wednesday due to the absence of the judge.

Although the ruling was reserved to be delivered today, the court did not sit as judges are said to be attending a seminar at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja.

The ruling has been adjourned to Friday.

In April, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Binance, a cryptocurrency firm, and Gambaryan, on allegations of money laundering.

On May 17, the court refused Gambaryan’s first bail request. The Binance executive later collapsed in court due to “ill-health”.

Gambaryan’s legal team and his family have raised the alarm that he could die in the Kuje prison if his health continues to deteriorate.

His wife, Yuki, said Gambaryan’s health was getting worse, adding that he needed “highly specialised and risky surgery” to treat the herniated disc in his back.

Gambaryan’s health had led Nwite to issue an arrest warrant against Abraham Ehizojie, a medical doctor at the health facility in Kuje correctional centre, over his failure to produce the executive’s medical report.

On September 2, the EFCC objected to the health claims made by the Binance executive after Iheanacho filed a counter affidavit to the bail application.

Mordi had informed the court of another bail application — which was filed on August 28 — seeking his client’s release on medical grounds.

However, the prosecution filed a counter affidavit opposing the bail application.

Ekele Iheanacho, EFCC counsel, said he has perused the defendant’s medical records and his health challenge “is not as serious” as it has been portrayed.