Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan’s Bail Ruling Postponed Due to Judge’s Absence

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Judgment on the bail application of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan was adjourned today at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Chief Justice, Justice Emeka Nwite, was absent due to a seminar at the National Judicial Institute. The decision, originally scheduled for October 9, has now been rescheduled for October 11.

Gambaryan, the former IRS agent responsible for seizing 69,370 bitcoins from the notorious dark-web marketplace Silk Road, has been in Nigerian custody since April. After leaving the IRS in 2021, Gambaryan joined Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, as head of financial compliance.

His role at Binance came under scrutiny when the Nigerian government accused the company of money laundering, tax evasion and operating without the proper license.

In addition to these charges, Nigerian authorities linked Gambaryan to the alleged concealment of $35.4 million in illegal financial proceeds.

Gambaryan’s health remains a central issue in the ongoing legal proceedings. His defense team argued that he required specialized surgery for a herniated disc, a procedure that cannot be adequately addressed in Nigeria.

His lawyer, Mark Mordi, insisted that the prison does not have the necessary medical facilities, asking the court to grant bail so that Gambaryan can receive proper medical care.

Instead, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claimed that Gambaryan received proper medical attention, being taken to several hospitals, including the State House Clinic and Nizamiye Hospital. The EFCC alleges that Gambaryan sometimes resisted medical treatment, further complicating his case.

The Nigerian government, citing medical reports from the Nigerian Correctional Service, says Gambaryan’s condition is stable, but his legal team says he is getting worse and cannot receive the necessary surgery in custody. As his case gains international attention, with US lawmakers calling for his release, his future remains uncertain ahead of a bail court decision later this week.

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