There was a mild drama at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday, as detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who is facing a money laundering charge, slumped in court.

The development occurred shortly after the matter was called for trial continuation before Justice Emeka Nwite.

When the court registrar called the case, Mr Gambaryan did not step forward to the dock from the back row where he was seated.

The judge then asked where the second defendant (Mr Gambaryan) was, and one of the lawyers on the defence team, who sat beside him, held him by the side towards the dock.

As they walked slowly to the dock, Mr Gambaryan fell down, and the lawyer assisted him into a front-row seat.

His lawyer, Mark Mordi, explained to the court as soon as the matter was called why his client could not stand.

Mr Mordi said Mr 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.

The judge had, on May 16, dismissed Mr 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.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) filed an alleged tax evasion charge against Binance Holdings Limited and Mr Gambaryan on Wednesday, but the case could not proceed because Gambaryan was absent from court.

(NAN)