Tigran Gambarian's bail application was rejected on Friday. A Nigerian judge cited abuse of due process as the reason for the denial. Gambarian Kuje will remain in prison pending the outcome of the investigation.
Binance executive Tigran Gambarian, who is in jail in Nigeria, has suffered another setback.
On Friday, Nigeria's High Court in the nation's capital, Abuja, rejected a bail application properly filed by the ailing Binance executive, according to court hearings. News.
Gambarian's wife, Yuki, called the verdict “totally unfair”.
“I am tired and deeply depressed, but I will continue to fight for my husband's rightful freedom,” Yuki said in a statement. News By a family representative.
Gambarian, 40, has been detained in Nigeria since February and in April was indicted along with his employer Binance on money laundering and currency manipulation charges.
Both parties have denied the allegations.
A Binance spokesperson said News The company was “deeply disappointed” by the court's ruling, especially as his health deteriorated.
“Tigeron has not moved to Nigeria as a decision maker and there is no good reason to keep him,” a Binance spokesperson said.
Join the community to get our latest articles and updates
He has been detained in Kuje Prison since April 8 and his health condition has deteriorated to the point where he cannot walk without assistance.
Last month, the US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, joined the diplomatic push to secure his release.
'To fail'
In delivering the judgement, Justice Nwhite faulted Gambarian's legal team for failing to adhere to proper court procedures. The judge blamed the lawyers for submitting the second bail application while the appeal against the first bail rejection was still pending.
Gambarian was initially denied bail by Justice Nwhite on April 8 after he was deemed a flight risk.
On Friday, the court ruled that Gambarian's lawyers had not presented any new facts to change its earlier decision.
Justice Nwaite scolded Gambarian's legal team for abusing court processes.
“When a lawyer files an appeal against a court judgment, he is barred from re-litigating, especially when he has failed to withdraw the previous appeal,” Justice Nwhite said.
“On this alone, this new bail application will fail.”
Health claims are dismissed
Gambarian's health has been dramatic throughout the trial process.
The Binance executive appeared groggy and worn in his court appearance.
He fainted in court and suffered from malaria and pneumonia.
Gambarian's back condition has also worsened in prison and he now walks with the aid of crutches.
His family and legal team had previously warned that he would need special surgery that could not be done while in detention.
However, Justice Nwhite sided with the prosecution that Gambarian could maintain his health while Cuje was in prison.
The judge ruled that the medical records submitted showed that “any standard hospital” in Nigeria would have been suitable for Gambarian.
He ordered the prison authorities to refer the Binance executive to hospitals in Abuja under tight security surveillance.
Justice Nwhite also rejected the argument that ill-health alone was sufficient for bail.
The judge's ruling contradicted reports from Gambarian's family that even prison doctors had called for him to be moved to a specialist hospital.
“It is completely unfair to deny someone in Tigran's situation the opportunity to get proper medical attention and I pray that the damage he is facing when he is finally released is not permanent,” Yuki said.
The money laundering trial continued on Friday as the court ruled against bail.
Gambarian's lawyers continued to cross-examine two of the prosecution's witnesses from the central bank and Nigeria's securities regulator.
The judge adjourned the hearing to October 18.
Osato Awan-Nomayo Our Nigeria based DeFi representative. He covers DeFi and technology. To share tips or information about articles, please contact him here [email protected].
Related TopicsBINANCE NIGERIABINANCE
