After spending 214 days in judicial custody in Nigeria, a video has emerged of Binance executive and U.S. citizen Tigran Gambaryan limping his way to a court hearing, struggling to find balance with a crutch, as he yells, “This is so fu***d up !”.
The hazy one minute long video shows Gambaryan accusing a Nigerian official of rushing him to court, even though he is clearly in pain. He yells again, “He (official) has been asked not to help me. He said he has received instructions from above. Why can’t I use a goddamn crutch? I am a fuc**ng innocent person (sic).”
According to Binance and several US lawmakers, Gambaryan has been unjustly detained in Nigeria since early February 2024, in a case filed by the government of Nigeria against the cryptocurrency exchange over compliance.
Gambaryan was serving as Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance and according to his family members, he was tricked into a meeting with the government officials in Nigeria in February after which he was detained and charged with alleged financial irregularities on behalf of Binance.
After spending more than seven months in jail, Gambaryan’s legal counsel has now applied for bail on health grounds, claiming that he requires immediate surgery in one of his limbs. The viral video of him yelling at the Nigerian official is of September 2 when he was being taken to court for proceedings.
The bail application of Gambaryan was contested by the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that has officially charged him in the ongoing case.
Moreover, the court received health records indicating that the detained executive’s condition might be more serious than previously disclosed. According to the legal counsel of Gambaryan, missing vital medical data such as MRI scans, have not been fully produced by prison authorities, despite repeated requests. This lack of transparency has only intensified concerns over Gambaryan’s well-being.
The Trial History of Tigran Gambaryan
Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, was detained in Nigeria on February 2, 2024, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on money laundering charges linked to Binance’s operations. However, this sudden detention raised questions about procedural fairness and the legitimacy of the charges.
The trial has faced procedural delays many times for one and another reasons. For example, the absence of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials who were summoned to provide crucial documents. This has resulted in further postponement of Gambaryan’s bail hearing.
Gambaryan’s health has seriously deteriorated in detention, with his family claiming he needs urgent surgery for a herniated disc.
On September 2, 2024, the trial of Tigran Gambaryan made important progress. His lawyers filed a new bail request, arguing that his serious health problems require surgery.
Yet, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dismisses his condition as “not severe,” showing a staggering lack of empathy. The court has postponed decisions on bail applications due to procedural delays and the absenteeism of Central Bank of Nigeria officials.
Conclusion
The situation has garnered significant attention, not only due to Gambaryan’s role in Binance but also because of the alleged obstructions his lawyers face in gaining adequate access to their client. According to Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, Nigerian authorities have repeatedly denied her husband’s health issues, which adds to the family’s distress.
Additionally, the court has scheduled another hearing for September 4, 2024, where Gambaryan’s bail request will be further examined.
Also Read: Binance vs Nigeria: A trial in a pickle that could turn relations sour
