Binance executive collapses during court trial
Story from Usman UMAR
Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance, suddenly collapsed in court due to purported ill health during trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
This happened shortly after Justice Emeka Nwite called for the trial to continue.
When the court registrar summoned Gambaryan to step forward to the dock from where he was seated in the back row, he failed to do so.
Justice Nwite then asked about the second defendant’s whereabouts, and one of the defense lawyers seated next to him helped him to the dock. However, as they made their way slowly, Gambaryan fell down and had to be assisted to sit in the front row.
Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), informed the court that his client was unwell and had submitted a written application notifying the court of his poor health. Mordi mentioned that the case would not be able to proceed that day.
Throughout the proceedings, Gambaryan appeared visibly ill, resting on the arm of the seat he was in. It’s important to note that Justice Nwite had previously rejected Gambaryan’s bail request on May 16, stating that the EFCC had evidence suggesting the defendant might flee if released on bail.
Furthermore, the tax evasion charges brought by the FIRS against Binance Holdings Limited and Gambaryan couldn’t move forward on Wednesday due to his absence in court.
