- Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria since February, is standing trial on charges related to the money laundering perpetrated on the Binance exchange
- Nigerian Correctional Service personnel told the court that Gambaryan was ‘very sick’
- Justice Nwite adjourned the trial until October 25 for a report about Gambaryan’s health.
A mild drama ensued at the federal high court, Abuja, on Friday, October 18, when officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) could not produce detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan in court for his trial.
Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria since February, is standing trial on charges related to the money laundering perpetrated on the Binance crypto exchange. Officials said bad actors used the platform to launder over $35 million. Gambaryan is a US citizen and, until his detention, was head of financial crime compliance at Binance.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the court rejected Gambaryan’s second bail application on October 11 and fixed Friday to continue the trial.
But when Gambaryan’s matter was called up on Friday, all the concerned parties, including Gambaryan’s counsel, announced appearances apart from Gambaryan himself. This caused confusion as Justice Nwite enquired from Gambaryan’s counsel, Mark Mordi, SAN, where his client was.
Mordi told the judge that he did not know the whereabouts of his client. The judge turned to the counsel of the prosecutor, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekele Iheanacho, SAN and Iheanacho claimed he did not know the whereabouts of Gambaryan as well. Iheanacho said he was surprised not to see Gambaryan in court.
As the confusion continued, Binance's counsel, Tonye Krukrubo, SAN, expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, saying he was worried by Gambaryan’s absence. He then asked the court to compel Iheanacho (the EFCC counsel) to provide Gambaryan.
“He is in their custody. It is funny they are saying they do not know his whereabouts,” Krukrubo said.
Then Justice Nwite asked, “Was he not taken to the correctional centre on the day the matter was adjourned?”
He then faced the NCoS personnel in court and asked them why Gambaryan was absent.
“Yes, my lord, he was taken to our custody,” the NCoS personnel answered.
“Did you not know his whereabouts?” the judge further asked.
“He is in our custody,” the NCoS personnel replied.
Justice Nwite directed the NCoS personnel to call their superior, who was in charge.
“Call him and tell him the court is worried about his whereabouts,” the judge added.
The court stood down the matter and reconvened after some time, and Justice Nwite asked the NCoS personnel about their findings.
“I was told that he (Gambaryan) is very sick, and that is why he could not be produced in court,” the NCoS personnel told the court.
Gambaryan’s counsel, Mordi, asked for an adjournment. “I urge for a date next week if only to report on the 2nd defendant’s state of health.
“This will allow parties to take necessary steps to ensure that the defendant is given the medical care required,” he said. “We are very concerned about the issues of health.”
Justice Nwite adjourned the trial until October 25 for a report about Gambaryan’s health.
What are Meme Coins? All you need to know about coins making people rich
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that in the unpredictable world of cryptocurrencies, coins pop up every day. CoinMarketCap estimates that there are about 22,932 cryptocurrencies out there. Of these thousands, Bitcoin and Ether are the most popular. The rest are called altcoins, coined from two words, alternative and coin. And this group is where meme coins are in. In fact, meme coins are even more distinct.
What are meme coins?
Meme coins are cryptocurrencies dubbed after people, animals, artwork, or anything else that can be imitated. They are usually supported by an energetic and enthusiastic online community of traders and followers who intend to have fun and eventually make money with it.
