A mild drama ensued at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday as detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who is facing a money laundering charge, slumped in the court over alleged ill-health.
The development occurred shortly after the matter was called for trial continuation before Justice Emeka Nwite.
As soon as the case was called by the court registrar, Gambaryan did not step forward to the dock from the back-row seat where he was seated.
Justice Nwite then asked where the defendant was and one of the lawyers in the defence team, who sat beside Gambaryan, held him by the side towards the dock.
As they walked slowly to the dock, the Binance executive fell down and the lawyer assisted him to sit in the front row seat.
Money laundering: Court rejects Binance executive’s bail plea
His lawyer, Mark Mordi (SAN), informed the court why his client could not stand as soon as the matter was called.
Mordi said Gambaryan had been indisposed and a written application letter had been filed to notify the court of his failing.
“My lord, the case may not certainly proceed today,” he said.
Throughout the proceeding, the cryptocurrency firm’s agent rested on the arm of the seat where he was sitting.
Justice Nwite had, on May 16, dismissed Gambaryan’s bail application on the ground that the EFCC had been able to establish that the defendant, who is currently being remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, would jump bail if granted.
“I have carefully considered the affidavit evidence before me and I am of the view that the applicant will jump bail if granted bail,” the judge said.
It would also be recalled that the alleged tax evasion charge filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against Binance Holdings Limited and Gambaryan could not proceed on Wednesday due to his absence in court.
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