Binance VP of Global Intelligence and Investigations Tigran Gambaryan appeared at the resumed hearing in a Nigerian court on crutches due to the refusal to provide a wheelchair, The Block writes, citing a statement from the defendant's family.
The African country's authorities have held the American-born executive in jail for six months. His physical and mental health is deteriorating due to a herniated disc, as well as bouts of pneumonia, malaria and tonsillitis.
The family said Gambaryan was in obvious pain and at one point broke down in tears in court.
The lawyers filed a new motion to release him on medical bail. They also challenged the ban on access to their client in Kuje prison, which prevents them from preparing for the hearings.
Prosecutors with the Commission on Economic and Financial Crimes said Gambaryan was not ill and had refused treatment. His relatives, however, said authorities were given medical records that recommended urgent surgery. They said some key records were missing from the file.
The judge ruled that Gambaryan should be allowed to use a wheelchair. The hearing on his bail application will continue on September 4.
"My husband was illegally detained by the Nigerian government after being invited to a meeting in their country under false pretenses. During this long detention, his health continues to deteriorate and he is now in so much pain that he can barely walk. The US government must do more to help Tigran," said his wife, Yuki.
She added that the authorities deny Gambaryan's health problems and conceal the medical evidence he provided. Some of the documents were only made public during the last court hearing.
"This whole situation is inhumane and degrading, and I am fed up. This disregard for the law and human rights must have consequences," Yuki added.
Gambaryan and the exchange's West and East African director, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were detained after meeting with Nigerian authorities in February. They were charged with tax evasion and money laundering along with Binance Holdings Limited. The company and its top managers deny any wrongdoing.
