Judge’s absence stalls ruling in Binance executive’s bail plea

The matter, which was fixed for ruling on Mr Gambaryan’s bail request, could not proceed as Mr Nwite was said to have gone for a seminar at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.

News Agency of Nigeria • October 9, 2024

Justice Nwite and Gambaryan

The absence of Justice Emeka Nwite of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Wednesday stalled the ruling in a fresh bail application filed by the detained Binance Holdings Limited’s executive, Tigran Gambaryan.

The matter, which was fixed for ruling on Mr Gambaryan’s bail request, could not proceed as Mr Nwite was said to have gone for a seminar at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.

The ruling was subsequently fixed for October 11.

EFCC’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, had, on September 4, vehemently opposed the bail application moved by Mark Mordi on Mr Gambaryan’s behalf.

Mr Iheanacho, who argued that the Binance executive was being given the best medical treatment by the Nigerian Correctional Service, alleged that Mr Gambaryan once rejected the medical intervention by the State House Clinic in Abuja.

The lawyer drew the court’s attention to the State House Clinic’s medical report.

He stated that even though Mr Gambaryan’s ill health was not as bad as it was being portrayed, the report showed that the defendant was dissatisfied with the medical attention being offered and rejected it.

The anti-graft agency’s lawyer urged the court to dismiss the fresh application.

He explained that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, wrote to the management of the NCoS, requesting Mr Gambaryan’s medical records.

He said that a response from the NCoS was received by the NSA on August 29 with the attached report of Nizamiye Hospital, among others.

According to him, the report indicated that Mr Gambaryan has been receiving adequate medical care from the NCoS and has been taken to several hospitals, including the State House Clinic.

Mr Iheanacho insisted that NCoS could take Mr Gambaryan to any hospital in Nigeria, adding that surgeons cannot force surgery on the defendant without his consent.

He said Mr Gambaryan “cannot suddenly become sick,” as is allegedly commonplace with some suspects facing trial.

Earlier, Mr Mordi had asked the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms or for six weeks based on ill health.

He argued that though the EFCC purportedly denied Mr Gambaryan had a serious health issue, the exhibits, including the medical reports, showed that he needed medical care.

The lawyer argued that Mr Gambaryan’s health challenge cannot be adequately managed in Nigeria.

(NAN)

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