The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed the health claims made by Tigran Gambaryan, the head of financial crime compliance at Binance Holdings Limited, concerning his bail application.
At a court session on Monday, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho filed a counter affidavit against the bail request, which had been submitted by Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, on August 28, citing medical grounds for his release.
Gambaryan, who has been facing charges related to money laundering along with Binance since April, is currently detained at the Kuje Correctional Center.
His legal team and family have previously expressed concerns about his deteriorating health, emphasizing that he requires urgent and specialized surgery for a herniated disc in his back.
His wife, Yuki, has warned that his condition is worsening and that without proper treatment, he could suffer severe consequences.
However, the EFCC has downplayed the severity of Gambaryan’s health issues.
Iheanacho, representing the EFCC, argued that Gambaryan had been living with the herniated disc condition for 12 years, well before his detention in Nigeria, suggesting that the condition was not as severe as portrayed.
He claimed that the Nigerian authorities have been providing adequate care and noted that Gambaryan is still able to walk within the prison facility.
In response, Gambaryan acknowledged his long-standing condition but insisted that it has worsened due to a lack of appropriate treatment while in detention, leading to permanent nerve damage.
Meanwhile, the presiding judge, Emeka Nwite, adjourned the bail application hearing to September 4, 2024.
Additionally, the court noted the absence of officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including the recently appointed CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, who were summoned to provide specific documents related to the case.
The CBN representatives had reportedly left the court before the Binance case was called due to delays in earlier proceedings.
They are expected to appear on the next adjourned date.
