On Friday, a Nigerian High Court in Abuja denied the bail application of Tigran Gambaryan, the detained Binance executive, citing an abuse of judicial process. Gambaryan, who has been in detention since February, is facing charges of money laundering and currency manipulation alongside his employer Binance. Both Gambaryan and Binance have denied the charges.
The court’s decision was based on the fact that Gambaryan’s legal team had filed a second bail application while their appeal of the initial bail denial was still under consideration. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that this constituted an abuse of court processes and that the new bail application was “bound to fail” due to the lack of new facts to alter the previous decision.
Despite the denial of bail, the court ordered that Gambaryan be referred to a specialist hospital in Abuja for medical treatment under strict security supervision. Gambaryan’s health has been a significant concern, with reports of him suffering from a severe herniated disc, malaria, pneumonia, and other health issues that have left him unable to walk without assistance. His family and legal team have repeatedly highlighted the need for specialized surgery that cannot be provided in the prison.
Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, expressed deep disappointment and frustration over the ruling, calling it “completely unjust” to deny her husband the opportunity to seek appropriate medical help. She vowed to continue fighting for his freedom, emphasizing that her husband is “entirely innocent”.
The trial continued with the cross-examination of witnesses from the Central Bank and Nigeria‘s securities regulator, and the case has been adjourned to October 18.
