The ruling on a new bail application filed by Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance Holdings Limited, has been delayed due to the absence of Justice Emeka Nwite from the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The decision was scheduled for Wednesday but could not proceed because Justice Nwite was attending a seminar at the National Judicial Institute.
The ruling has now been rescheduled for October 11.
During a hearing on September 4, Ekele Iheanacho, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), opposed Gambaryan’s bail application, which was presented by his lawyer, Mark Mordi.
Iheanacho claimed that Gambaryan was receiving adequate medical treatment from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
He alleged that Gambaryan had previously refused medical intervention from the State House Clinic in Abuja, presenting a medical report from the clinic to support his argument.
Iheanacho asserted that Gambaryan’s health issues were not as severe as portrayed by his defence.
He pointed out that the medical report indicated Gambaryan was dissatisfied with the treatment provided and had rejected it.
The EFCC lawyer urged the court to dismiss the bail application, emphasizing that the NCoS was capable of providing Gambaryan with proper medical care, including access to various hospitals across Nigeria.
He also noted that surgical procedures could not be performed on Gambaryan without his consent.
In addition to opposing the bail, Iheanacho explained that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu had reached out to the NCoS to request Gambaryan’s medical records.
The NCoS responded to Ribadu on August 29, providing a report from Nizamiye Hospital, which confirmed that Gambaryan was receiving appropriate medical care and had been referred to multiple hospitals, including the State House Clinic.
On the other hand, Mordi argued for Gambaryan’s release, requesting that he be granted bail on reasonable terms or, alternatively, for a six-week bail based on health concerns.
He contended that although the EFCC claimed Gambaryan did not have serious health issues, medical reports presented to the court indicated otherwise, demonstrating a need for medical attention that could not be adequately provided in Nigeria.
