There was a light drama at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday, as detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who is facing a money laundering charge, slumped in court. The event happened soon after Justice Emeka Nwite ordered a resumption of the trial in his case.
Mr. Gambaryan remained sat in the back row and did not move to the dock when the court registrar called the case. After the judge inquired about the whereabouts of the second defendant, Mr Gambaryan, one of the defence team's solicitors, who was seated next to him, held him by the side and led him to the dock.
As they slowly walked to the dock, Mr Gambaryan fell, and the lawyer assisted him into a front-row seat. "My lord, the case may not certainly proceed today." he exclaimed.
Throughout the proceedings. the cryptocurrency company's agent rested on the arm of the seat where he was sitting.
On May 16, the judge denied Mr. Gambaryan's request for bail, citing the EFCC's ability to prove that the defendant—who is already being held in custody at Kuje Correctional Center—would violate the terms of the bond if it were approved.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) filed an alleged tax evasion charge against Binance Holdings Limited and Mr Gambaryan on Wednesday, but the case could not proceed because Gambaryan was absent from court.
