Ailing Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan implored a Nigerian judge on Monday to let him get surgery on his back, which has a herniated disc.
“I’ve been complaining about this since forever, and nothing was done,” Gambaryan, 40, said as his money laundering trial resumed in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
“The lack of appropriate care has left me with permanent nerve damage and that’s why I’m in this present state where I can no longer walk,” added Gambaryan, who hobbled into the courtroom after being denied the use of a wheelchair.
Overriding issue
Gambaryan’s worsening health has become an overriding issue in a case that has pitted Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency against him and Binance, the world’s top cryptocurrency exchange.
Gambaryan, who has denied the prosecution’s allegations, has suffered from pneumonia and malaria since being incarcerated in a prison near Abuja in April.
Justice Emeka Nwite ordered prison officials to provide a wheelchair for Gambaryan’s use.
Prosecutor Ekene Iheanacho dismissed Gambaryan’s complaints and said they weren’t as serious as the Binance executive reported.
The proescutor also told the judge that prison officials were properly caring for Gambaryan.
Meanwhile, Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, filed a new bail application for his client. Nwite denied an application on April 8 before remanding Gambaryan to Kuje prison pending his trial.
Denied access
Mordi accused prison officials of egregious medical neglect that has worsened his client’s preexisting back condition.
Mordi also accused prison officials of denying access to his client since the previous adjournment on July 16.
Gambaryan is accused of currency speculation and money laundering amounting to $35 million by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Gambaryan’s employer Binance is also charged with the same offence, and it has denied the charges.
Nwite adjourned the trial to September 4 for a ruling on the bail application.
Osato Avan-Nomayo is our Nigeria-based DeFi correspondent. He covers DeFi and tech. To share tips or information about stories, please contact him at osato@dlnews.com.
