Tigran Gambaryan, the jailed Binance executive in Nigeria, has suffered another setback.
On Friday, Nigeria’s High Court in the nation’s capital Abuja, denied the ailing Binance executive’s improperly filed bail application, according to court proceedings followed by DL News.
Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, called the ruling “completely unjust.”
“I am exhausted and deeply disappointed, but I will continue fighting for my husband’s rightful freedom,” Yuki said in a statement shared with DL News by a family spokesperson.
Gambaryan, 40, has been detained in Nigeria since February and was indicted alongside his employer Binance on money laundering and currency manipulation charges in April.
Both parties deny the charges.
A Binance spokesperson told DL News the company was “deeply disappointed” by the court’s ruling especially considering his failing health.
“Tigran did not go to Nigeria as a decision-maker and there is no good reason to continue to hold him,” the Binance spokesperson said.
He has been incarcerated at Kuje prison since April 8 and his health condition has deteriorated to the point where he cannot walk without assistance.
Last month, US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, joined the diplomatic push to secure his release.
‘Bound to fail’
In delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite faulted Gambaryan’s legal team for failing to adhere to proper court procedures. The judge reproached the lawyers for submitting a second bail application while their appeal of the initial bail denial was still under consideration.
Justice Nwite first denied Gambaryan bail on April 8 after deeming him a flight risk.
On Friday, the court ruled that Gambaryan’s lawyers did not provide any new facts to alter its previous decision.
Justice Nwite scolded Gambaryan’s legal team for abusing court processes.
“When a lawyer files an appeal to a court ruling, he is restrained from re-litigating, especially when he has failed to withdraw the previous appeal,” Justice Nwite said.
“On this a, this new bail application is bound to fail.”
Health claims dismissed
Gambaryan’s health has been a source of drama throughout the trial proceedings.
The Binance executive has looked visibly gaunt and worn out in court appearances.
He has even fainted in court and has suffered malaria and pneumonia.
Gambaryan’s back condition has also flared up in jail and he now walks with the aid of crutches.
His family and legal team previously warned that he needs specialised surgery that cannot be done while he is in detention.
Still, Justice Nwite sided with the prosecution that Gambaryan’s health could be managed while in Kuje prison.
The judge ruled that the medical records presented show that “any standard hospital” in Nigeria would suffice for Gambaryan.
He ordered that prison officials should refer the Binance executive to hospitals in Abuja under strict security supervision.
Justice Nwite also rejected the argument that ill-health was sufficient grounds for bail.
The judge’s ruling contrasts with the reports from Gambaryan’s family who say even the prison doctors have called for his transfer to a specialist hospital.
“It is completely unjust to deny someone in Tigran’s condition the opportunity to seek appropriate medical help and I just pray that when he is finally released the damage he is suffering is not permanent,” Yuki said.
The money laundering trial continued on Friday after the court ruled against bail.
Gambaryan’s lawyers continued their cross-examination of the prosecution’s two witnesses from the central bank and Nigeria’s securities regulator.
The judge adjourned the trial to October 18.
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.