The Nigerian court recently decided to postpone the ruling on the bail application for Tigran Gambaryan, a detained Binance executive, until October 9th. This decision was made by Judge Emeka Nwite on September 4th after hearing arguments from both Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, and the prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, who opposed the bail request.
Gambaryan’s lawyer had submitted a new bail application on September 2nd, citing medical reasons and his deteriorating health conditions. The American citizen is reported to be suffering from malaria, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and complications from a herniated disc, which have severely affected his ability to walk. In light of these health issues, Mordi requested that the court grant Gambaryan bail for six weeks to seek treatment.
The case took a controversial turn when a viral video surfaced showing Gambaryan limping into court, prompting criticism from the crypto community. Jeff Roberts, a crypto editor at Fortune Magazine, condemned the Nigerian government’s actions, accusing them of unjustly detaining Gambaryan in an attempt to extort Binance for $10 billion. The treatment of Gambaryan has been widely criticized as torture and humiliation.
Local media outlet Nairametrics reported that Gambaryan allegedly refused prescribed medications and food during his detention, despite recommendations from medical professionals at the State House Annex Clinic in Abuja. A neurosurgeon had advised medication, physiotherapy, and urgent surgery for Gambaryan’s back issues, which he had been managing for over a decade. However, Gambaryan expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment and insisted on being transferred to Nizamiye Hospital, leading him to intermittently refuse medical care and sustenance.
The Nigerian court’s decision to postpone the ruling on Gambaryan’s bail application has raised concerns about the handling of the case. The health issues faced by Gambaryan, coupled with the criticisms of the government’s actions, highlight the need for a fair and just resolution to this ongoing situation.
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