Binance executive, Gambaryan, slumps in court 

Detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, slumped in the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, during a foreign exchange contravention and money laundering trial instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The development occurred after the matter was called for continuation of trial before Justice Emeka Nwite.

As soon as the case was called by the court registrar, Gambaryan did not step forward to the dock from the back row, where he was seated.

When Justice Nwite asked where the 2nd defendant (Gambaryan) was, one of the defence lawyers, who sat beside Gambaryan, held him by the side towards the dock. As they walked slowly to the dock, Gambaryan slumped and the lawyer assisted him to sit in the front row.

Counsel, Mark Mordi (SAN), explained to the court that Gambaryan had been indisposed and a written application had been filed to notify the court of his failing health.

He added, “My lord, the case may not certainly proceed today.”
Throughout the proceedings, the cryptocurrency firm’s agent rested on the arm of the seat.

Nwite had, on May 16, dismissed Gambaryan’s bail application on the ground that the EFCC had been able to establish that the defendant, who is being remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, would jump bail if granted.

On Wednesday, the tax evasion suit filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against Binance Holdings Limited and Gambaryan could not proceed due to the absence of the defendant in court.