The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has contested the health-related claims made by Tigran Gambaryan, the head of financial crime compliance at Binance Holdings Limited, during a court session on Monday.
Ekele Iheanacho, counsel for the EFCC, filed a counter-affidavit opposing the bail application submitted by Mark Mordi, Gambaryan’s legal representative. The application, filed on August 28, sought Gambaryan’s release on medical grounds, citing the deterioration of his health while in custody.
In April, the EFCC arraigned Binance, a leading cryptocurrency firm, and Gambaryan on charges related to money laundering. Gambaryan’s legal team and family have since expressed grave concerns over his health, warning that his condition could worsen if he remains in Kuje Prison, where he is currently detained.
Yuki, Gambaryan’s wife, has stated that her husband requires “highly specialized and risky surgery” to address a herniated disc in his back, a condition that has allegedly worsened due to inadequate medical care in prison.
The ongoing health issues led Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, to issue an arrest warrant on July 30 against Abraham Ehizojie, a medical doctor at Kuje Correctional Centre, for failing to produce Gambaryan’s medical report.
During the court proceedings, Iheanacho argued that the defendant’s medical condition is not as severe as it has been portrayed. “My lord, I don’t want to go into detail about this issue. Ordinarily, the defendant had been living with this condition for the past 12 years before he came to Nigeria. It is not as if it is a new issue,” he said.
The EFCC counsel further insisted that Nigerian authorities have been adequately caring for Gambaryan, adding that prison officials have observed him walking within the facility.
Gambaryan, however, interjected, acknowledging that while he has lived with the herniated disc condition for 12 years, it has gone untreated since his incarceration. “It was treated, but when the condition goes untreated at a prison or a medical facility, this is what happens,” Gambaryan explained. He added that the lack of appropriate medical care has led to permanent nerve damage, significantly worsening his health.
The court is expected to make a decision on the bail application in light of the arguments presented by both parties.
