The trial of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan continued in Abuja on September 2, with Nigerian prosecutors opposing his bail request and downplaying his health problems. Lawyers for Nigeria’s EFCC argued that Gambaryan was not in poor health, even though counsel for the government regulator had submitted medical records to the court showing he needed surgery.
EFCC opposes bail of driver
The trial of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive held in Nigeria, resumed on September 2, 2024. His lawyers filed a new request for bail due to his deteriorating health.
However, the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was quick to oppose the motion, saying Gambaryan was not as ill as claimed, despite his medical records, which were submitted by a government watchdog, showing he required surgery.
Also Read: Binance Executive Detained in Nigeria Amid Health Crisis, Legal Delays
Family representatives said these medical records, which had not been provided to the court for months, were missing key medical information, such as MRI scans.
Family spokespeople also said Gambaryan’s lawyers have been denied access to the prison or cannot see him due to his deteriorating health.
According to a statement from the family, the Binance executive entered the court in a distraught state, using crutches after being denied access to a wheelchair. Yuki Gambaryan, the wife of Tigran Gambaryan, expressed grave concern that Nigerian authorities were downplaying her husband’s health problems.
She said: “The truth is that the prison has been withholding his medical records for months, and even the partial records they finally released today say that Tigran needs surgery. They can’t continue to play games with my husband’s life like this. This whole situation is inhuman and degrading, and I’m fed up with it. There must be consequences for this disregard for the law and human rights.”
The next hearing of the trial is scheduled for September 4, 2024, when the judge will further consider the bail request.
Binance CEO Calls for US Intervention
Nigerian authorities have held Gambaryan for more than six months since he arrived in the country in February. Gambaryan, a former IRS agent, and his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla were arrested on charges of money laundering and tax evasion. After Anjarwalla escaped, Nigerian officials tightened restrictions on Gambaryan. He is now battling health problems including pneumonia, malaria and tonsillitis, and is also scheduled to undergo surgery.
Binance CEO Richard Teng has called on US authorities to intervene diplomatically with Nigeria to secure Gambaryan’s release. Teng stressed that Gambaryan has no decision-making authority at Binance and should not be the target of accusations against the company.
Pro-crypto policymaker Rep. French Hill has also called on the White House to intervene in Gambaryan’s case. After visiting the detained executive with fellow lawmaker Chrissy Houlahan in June, Rep. Hill identified the situation as a political conflict in Nigeria and called for Gambaryan’s release.
As calls for Gambaryan’s release grow, Georgia Congressman Rich McCormick has introduced a resolution urging his colleagues to treat the detention of Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, as a hostage situation.
