Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive detained in Nigeria on money laundering charges, has reportedly suffered severe health deterioration during his six-month detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to his family, Gambaryan is now unable to walk due to intense pain from a herniated disc in his back. The family has accused the Nigerian authorities of denying him access to appropriate medical care, which has worsened his condition to the point where he is now bed-bound, requiring blood thinners to prevent clots due to muscle atrophy.
On July 30, 2024, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Dr. Abraham Ehizojie, a medical doctor at the Kuje Correctional Centre, after he failed to produce Gambaryan’s medical report or appear in court. This legal action was prompted by concerns raised by Gambaryan’s lawyer regarding his deteriorating health, as Gambaryan had previously appeared in court in a wheelchair.
The EFCC’s representative, Ekene Iheanacho, informed the court that he expected the medical officer’s appearance to address the ongoing proceedings. However, the situation has remained unresolved, and the U.S. Embassy has also been denied access to Gambaryan, who is unable to walk to the visitor area due to his condition.
The next court hearing has been rescheduled for September 2, 2024, during the court’s recess. Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, has made a public plea for her husband’s release, emphasizing the toll his detention has taken on their family and his rapidly declining health. She stated, “It has been six months since I last hugged my husband and since our children last held their father’s hand.”
Gambaryan has been in detention since February 2024, and his case has drawn significant attention, especially with the charges against him and Binance relating to the laundering of over $35 million.
The EFCC and Nigerian authorities linked Binance’s operations to the country’s currency devaluation, citing its role in facilitating the trade of the Nigerian naira during a period of severe dollar shortages. Despite these accusations, both Binance and Gambaryan have denied any wrongdoing.
