Nigerian Court Denies Bail for Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan Amid Health Concerns

The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the latest bail application from Tigran Gambaryan, a senior executive at Binance, who has been detained since February 2024 on charges of money laundering. The court's decision, issued by Justice Emeka Nwite on October 11, 2024, followed intense debate between Gambaryan’s defense and Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Tigran Gambaryan’s Bail Rejected

Gambaryan’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mark Mordi, argued for his release on bail due to worsening health conditions, citing a herniated disc and the need for psychiatric care for depression and anxiety. The defense requested a six-week bail period so that Gambaryan could seek specialized treatment abroad, claiming Nigerian detention facilities were not equipped to handle his medical needs.

In a previous hearing on September 4, 2024, Mordi presented medical reports stating that Gambaryan’s health had deteriorated significantly during his time in custody. He urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms or allow him temporary release for necessary medical treatment.

EFCC's Counterarguments

The EFCC, represented by Ekele Iheanacho, opposed the bail application, arguing that Gambaryan’s health concerns were exaggerated. The EFCC presented medical reports from the State House Clinic and Nizamiye Hospital, where Gambaryan had been treated, to support their claim that Nigerian medical facilities were fully capable of managing his condition.

Iheanacho argued that Gambaryan had refused some medical treatments and suggested that his health claims were being used as a tactic to secure bail. He also noted that Gambaryan’s initial bail application, based on similar health concerns, had already been denied and was pending appeal, making the new application an abuse of the court process.

Court Ruling: Abuse of Process and Adequate Medical Care

In his ruling, Justice Nwite sided with the EFCC, stating that the fresh bail application amounted to an abuse of court procedure since Gambaryan’s first application was still under appeal and had not been withdrawn. The judge concluded that a new application could not be considered while the previous appeal was ongoing.

Justice Nwite reviewed the medical evidence and determined that there was no indication that Gambaryan’s condition could not be managed in Nigeria. He referenced the reports from the State House Clinic and Nizamiye Hospital, which showed that Gambaryan had been receiving adequate medical care.

However, the judge ordered the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to refer Gambaryan to a standard hospital in Abuja for further evaluation and treatment if needed, under security supervision, to ensure his health needs were met.

For now, Gambaryan remains in detention, with his health and legal battles ongoing. The next court hearing is scheduled for October 18, with additional sessions set for November 22 and 25, 2024.