Judge’s Absence Delays Ruling on Binance Executive’s Bail Request

Judge’s Absence Delays Ruling on Binance Executive’s Bail Request: The ruling on a new bail application for Tigran Gambaryan, an executive from Binance Holdings Limited, was delayed

on Wednesday due to the absence of Justice Emeka Nwite from the Federal

High Court in Abuja. Justice Nwite was attending a seminar at the National

Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja, leading to the postponement of the ruling to October 11.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Economic and Financia

l Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously opposed Gambaryan’s bail

request during a hearing on September 4. Ekele Iheanacho, the counsel

for the EFCC, argued against the bail application presented by Gambaryan’s lawyer,

Mark Mordi. Iheanacho claimed that Gambaryan was receiving adequate medical treatment from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and mentioned that he had previously rejected

medical intervention offered by the State House Clinic in Abuja.

The EFCC lawyer highlighted that a medical report from the State House

Clinic indicated that Gambaryan’s health issues were not as severe as suggested. He pointed out that despite Gambaryan’s claims, the report showed dissatisfaction with the medical care provided, which he had declined.

the bail application

Iheanacho urged the court to dismiss the bail application, noting that the

National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, had requested Gambaryan’s

medical records from the NCoS. He stated that the NCoS responded to the

NSA on August 29, providing reports from Nizamiye Hospital among others.

The reports indicated that Gambaryan was receiving appropriate medical attention and had been taken to various hospitals, including the State House Clinic. He asserted that the NCoS had the

capacity to arrange further medical care as needed and emphasized that any

medical procedure could not be performed without Gambaryan’s consent.

He criticized the notion that Gambaryan’s health had suddenly deteriorated, a common claim among defendants facing trial.

In contrast, Mordi appealed to the court for Gambaryan’s release on liberal terms or, at the very least, for a six-week bail based on health concerns. He contended that although the EFCC denied

that Gambaryan had serious health problems, medical evidence supported the

need for better care than what could be provided in Nigeria. Mordi maintained that Gambaryan’s health condition warranted immediate and more specialized medical attention.