A dramatic incident occurred at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday when Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance, collapsed in court, reportedly due to ill health.
This happened just after Justice Emeka Nwite called for the continuation of Gambaryan’s trial.
When the court registrar called the case, Gambaryan, who was seated in the back row, did not come forward to the dock.
Justice Nwite then inquired about the whereabouts of the second defendant, Tigran Gambaryan.
One of Gambaryan’s defense lawyers, who was seated next to him, helped him move towards the dock.
As they walked slowly, Gambaryan suddenly fell. The lawyer assisted him to sit in the front row.
Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), explained to the court that his client had been feeling unwell and that a written application had been submitted to inform the court of his deteriorating health. Mordi stated, “My lord, the case may not certainly proceed today.”
Throughout the proceedings, Gambaryan leaned on the arm of the seat where he was sitting, looking visibly ill.
It is noteworthy that Justice Nwite had previously dismissed Gambaryan’s bail application on May 16, arguing that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had shown that Gambaryan, currently detained at Kuje Correctional Centre, would likely flee if granted bail.
Additionally, 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.
