Federal High Court Orders Bench Warrant on Kuje Correctional Centre Doctor for Failing to Produce Binance Executive’s Medical Report
The drama continues in the case involving Binance executive, Tygran Gambaryan, as Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for a medical doctor at the Kuje Correctional Centre for failing to produce Gambaryan’s medical report or show up in court.
The Nigerian government has accused Binance and its executives of allegedly conspiring to conceal the origin of financial proceeds from unlawful activities in Nigeria, amounting to $35,400,000. The authorities claim this is a violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
During the court proceedings, Gambaryan’s lawyer expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of compliance with the judge’s order to produce the medical report. The prison official responsible for delivering the order to the doctor confirmed his absence in court, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant for his appearance.
Despite Gambaryan’s health concerns and complaints of back pain, the judge ordered him to be taken to Nizamiye hospital for a 24-hour medical checkup under full security. The case has been adjourned to October 11, 2024, for further trial.
Earlier testimonies from the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission highlighted the unauthorized banking services by Binance in Nigeria and its impact on the country’s exchange rate. The SEC, a regulatory agency for the capital market, emphasized the importance of monitoring trading platforms like Binance.
As the legal battle continues, Binance and its executives face multiple suits from the FIRS and EFCC, ranging from tax evasion to money laundering and foreign exchange contravention. The executives have also filed a fundamental rights case against the Nigerian government, alleging a violation of their constitutional rights.
The detention of Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has sparked concerns over their health and calls for their release. The unfolding events in this high-profile case underscore the complexities of financial regulations and the legal challenges faced by multinational corporations operating in Nigeria.
