A mild drama ensued at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, as detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, slumped in court.
Gambaryan, who has been detained in since February 10, 2024, is facing a money laundering charges.
The drama occurred shortly after the matter was called for trial continuation before Justice Emeka Nwite.
When the court registrar called the case, Gambaryan did not step forward to the dock from the back row where he was seated.
Justice Nwite then asked where the second defendant (Gambaryan) was, and one of the lawyers on the defence team, who sat beside him, held him by the side towards the dock.
As they walked slowly towards the dock, Gambaryan fell and the lawyer assisted him into a front-row seat.
His lawyer, Mark Mordi, explained to the court as soon as the matter was called why his client could not stand when the matter was called.
Mordi said the Binance executive had been indisposed and that a written application letter had been filed to notify the court of the development.
“My lord, the case may not certainly proceed today,” he said.
Throughout the proceeding, the embattled Binance executive rested on the arm of the seat where he was sitting.
Justice Nwite on May 16 dismissed Gambaryan’s bail application on the ground that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had been able to establish that the defendant would jump bail if it was granted.
The defendant is being remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.
The tax evasion charge filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against Binance Holdings Limited and Gambaryan could not proceed on Wednesday due to his absence in court.
