Short Narrative
The Nigerian Justice Emeka Nwite has ordered the officials of the Kuje correctional facility to provide Tigran Gambaryan, the detained executive of Binance Holdings Limited, with a wheelchair. This decision came after Gambaryan, who appeared in court walking with crutches, expressed that his health had severely deteriorated due to inadequate medical care at the facility.
According to the Nigerian news outlet Punch, Tigran Gambaryan revealed he has been living with a herniated disc for 12 years but that his condition worsened since his detention at Kuje. The order followed an emotional plea from Gambaryan and his counsel, Mark Mordi, who reported that the lack of proper medical attention was causing his client immense pain and further health complications. Mordi also filed a fresh bail application, citing Gambaryan’s declining health as a critical factor.
Key Points
- The Case: Binance Nigeria
- Defendants: Binance Holdings Ltd, Tigran Gambaryan, Nadeem Anjarwalla – A British-Kenyan Binance executive initially detained but escaped custody in March 2024.
- Jurisdiction: Nigeria
- Health Concerns: Gambaryan, detained on money laundering charges, has a worsening herniated disc condition. He requested a wheelchair, stating he could no longer walk without assistance due to inadequate medical care at Kuje prison.
- Court Order: Judge Nwite, upon hearing Gambaryan’s plea and questioning the prison officials, ordered that a wheelchair be provided immediately. Gambaryan was subsequently wheeled out of the courtroom.
- Legal Arguments: The prosecution argued that Gambaryan’s health condition was being exaggerated and that his medical records did not indicate a life-threatening situation. Meanwhile, the defense highlighted the lack of proper care and submitted a new bail application based on medical grounds.
- Ongoing Trial: The case, involving Binance and its executives facing $35 million in money laundering charges, was adjourned to September 4 for continuation. The court also noted issues with document submissions from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as officials failed to provide a complete set of requested documents.
Actionable Insight
For companies operating internationally, the Binance Nigeria case serves as a reminder to ensure robust compliance and legal preparedness to handle diverse jurisdictional challenges. The ongoing trial of Binance’s executives in Nigeria underscores the increasing regulatory scrutiny facing global crypto firms and the necessity of transparent operations to avoid such legal entanglements.
Call to Action
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