There was a mild drama at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, October 18, 2024, as the detained Binance Holdings Limited’s executive, Tigran Gambaryan, was conspicuously absent for his trial.
Presiding judge Justice Emeka Nwite had, on October 11, fixed today for continuation of trial in the alleged money laundering charge preferred against Binance Limited and the company’s country representative, Gambaryan, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The development followed the rejection of Gambaryan’s second bail application by Justice Nwite.
However, when the matter was called on Friday, all the parties’ lawyers in the case were in court except the second defendant, Gambaryan.
The judge then asked Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi (SAN), about the whereabouts of his client.
Mordi said he did not know why his client was not in court.
Also, the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), said he was surprised Gambaryan was not in court.
Iheanacho therefore sought a stand down to enable them inquire from the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) on what went wrong.
Counsel for Binance, Tonye Krukrubo (SAN), equally expressed worry over the absence of Gambaryan in court.
He said the EFCC should be able to tell why he was not in court.
Court denies Binance executive bail
“He is in their custody. It is funny they are saying they do not know his whereabouts,” the lawyer said.
“Was it not taken to the correctional centre on the day the matter was adjourned?” the judge asked.
Justice Nwite then asked the NCoS officer who was in court why Gambaryan was not produced for his trial.
“Yes, my lord, he was taken to our custody,” the officer said.
“Did you not know his whereabouts,” Justice Nwite further asked.
“He is in our custody,” the officer insisted.
The judge, who asked the NCoS officer who was in charge of the Kuje Correctional Centre, directed the officer to put a telephone call to him.
“Call him and tell him the court is worried about his whereabouts,” the judge added.
Justice Nwite, thereafter, stood down the matter.
Meanwhile, when the court reconvened, Justice Nwite asked the NCoS officer about his findings.
Drama as Binance executive collapses in court
The officer said he had been able to get in touch with his boss, saying: “I was told that he (Gambaryan) is very sick and that is why he could not be produced in court.”
Gambaryan’s lawyer, however, prayed the court for an adjournment.
Mordi said: “I urge for a date next week if only to report on the second defendant’s state of health.
“This will allow parties to take necessary steps to ensure that the defendant is given the medical care required.”
Iheanacho did not oppose Mordi’s oral application.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until October 25, 2024, for a report about Gambaryan’s health.
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