A high court in Nigeria has scheduled a hearing for October 25 to receive an update on the health condition of Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance. His absence from the scheduled trial continuation on October 18 raised questions about his well-being, as he faces $35.4 million in money laundering charges brought against him by the country’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the court proceedings on Friday, both the defense and prosecution expressed ignorance regarding Gambaryan’s absence. Following a brief recess to investigate, Justice Nwite learned that Gambaryan was hospitalized. A representative from the correctional facility admitted Gambaryan was ‘very’ sick and would not be produced in court.
Justice Nwite postponed the proceedings to October 25 for further hearing on the case.
In previous hearings last week, Gambaryan’s lawyer Mark Mordi had sought a six-week bail for Gambaryan on medical grounds, citing inadequate healthcare within the correctional facility. Justice Nwite ultimately denied the bail application, stating that Tigran Gambaryan ’s health was managed by “renowned Nigerian medical experts.” Nonetheless, he ordered the Nigerian Correctional Service to transfer Gambaryan to a standard hospital in Abuja for treatment under security supervision for a period of three days to two weeks.
Gambaryan’s prolonged detention has intensified diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the United States. Recent reports indicate that the Biden administration has been active in advocating for his release on humanitarian grounds. High-ranking officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, have raised concerns with Nigerian authorities, following visits from U.S. congressional representatives who sought to assess Gambaryan’s condition.
These diplomatic efforts have been fueled by a viral video showing Gambaryan using crutches, reportedly due to complications from a herniated disc, pneumonia, and malaria, conditions allegedly contracted during his detention. Despite these claims, the EFCC continues to downplay the severity of his health issues, maintaining its opposition to any release.
The situation surrounding Gambaryan has become a focal point of bilateral relations, with unnamed State Department officials warning that it could escalate into a significant diplomatic flashpoint. The U.S. government is reportedly engaging with key Nigerian officials, including the President and Attorney General, to expedite a resolution.
The charges against Gambaryan form part of a broader investigation into Binance’s operations in Nigeria, where authorities allege the platform facilitated illegal cross-border transactions exceeding $26 billion, contributing to the depreciation of the Nigerian Naira. Although Binance has removed the Naira from its platform, many Nigerians continue to use the exchange for cryptocurrency trading and digital asset management.
As the October 25 hearing approaches, the intersection of legal, health, and diplomatic considerations continues to shape the narrative surrounding Tigran Gambaryan and his significant legal troubles in Nigeria.