On Thursday, the Abuja Division of Federal High Court ordered the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) management in Kuje to take the ailing and detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan to a hospital for medicare.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order following an application by Mr Gambaryan’s counsel, Mark Mordi (SAN), that his client was suffering from a deteriorating health condition which needed prompt medical attention.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had sued Binance Holdings Limited and Mr Gambaryan as first and second defendants.

Mr Mordi, while moving the motion, had sought an order of the court directing the correctional centre to allow Mr Gambaryan to be treated in Nizayime Hospital, Abuja.

The EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, did not oppose the application that the defendant be treated in a hospital. However, he disagreed that Mr Gambaryan be specifically treated in Nizayime Hospital, as Mr Mordi suggested.

Mr Mordi responded that they were interested in a medical facility where his client could be properly cared for, and the company would cover the cost.

The senior lawyer equally applied for the medical report of a medical examination conducted on his client by the prison authority.

Mr Iheanacho insisted that the court be mindful of making a specific order directing the correctional centre to allow him to be treated in Nizayime Hospital.

He argued that the centre should take him to any hospital that would adequately attend him so the authorities could ensure his security. He also applied for the medical report to be issued and delivered to the anti-graft agency.

Mr Mordi then rephrased his request and urged the court to make an order to treat Mr Gambaryan in Nizayime Hospital or any other hospital that the correctional centre deemed.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite granted the request.

“An order of this honourable court is hereby made that the second defendant be allowed to be treated in Nizayime Hospital or any other hospital within the jurisdiction which the Correctional Service Centre deems fit, provided the Correctional Service Authority shall provide adequate security for the 2nd defendant within the period the 2nd defendant stays in the hospital,” he said.

The judge also ordered the correctional service authority to issue and deliver to both the prosecution and defendant’s counsel Mr Gambaryan’s medical report based on the medical examination conducted on him a fortnight ago.

A mild drama ensued when Mr Gambaryan slumped in open court over alleged ill health shortly after the matter was called for trial continuation.

Mr Mordi told the court that although the matter was slated for cross-examination of the first prosecution witness (PW1), he sought an adjournment, citing Mr Gambaryan’s ill health.

He said they managed to bring the defendant to court for the court to know his true health condition.

In the five-count money laundering charge, Nadeem Anjarwalla, another Binance agent, was listed as being at large.

They were accused of allegedly conspiring to conceal the origin of the financial proceeds of their alleged unlawful activities in Nigeria, including $35,400,000.

(NAN)