A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Dr Abraham Ehizojie, the Medical Doctor at the Kuje Correctional Health Centre, over refusal to produce the medical report of the detained executive of Binance Holdings Ltd, Tigran Gambaryan.
On an application by Gambaryan’s attorney, Mark Mordi (SAN), the trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, issued the order after receiving a complaint that the judge’s directive, which required that Gambaryan’s medical records be sent to his team, had not been followed.
Following Mordi’s lamentation, Justice Nwite asked a prison official who brought Gambaryan to court about the development.
He replied that he got the court order and delivered the order to the doctor on Tuesday, July 9.
Also, the prosecution counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, told the judge that he also expected the medical officer to be in court today.
Mordi afterwards, prayed the court to issue a bench warrant against the medical officer of the correctional centre for him to be produced in court the next adjourned date.
Mordi also prayed the court to issue an order for Gambaryan to be given hospital remand immediately so that thorough medical examination can be carried out on him to know his true state of health as his health has gotten worse.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, counsel did not object to the fact that Gambaryan needs adequate treatment.
He however objected to the request, that he should be placed in hospital remand.
After listening to arguments from both parties and taking their submissions, the trial judge said it is unfortunate that a government institution would be treating a court order with levity.
He said, “I hereby make an order of bench arrant on the medical doctor at the Kuje Correctional Service, to appear before this court”.
He also ordered that Gambaryan be taken to the Nizamiye Hospital for medicare for 24 hours, at any time of his choice but under full security surveillance.
