On Wednesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informed a Federal High Court in Abuja that Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of Binance Holdings Limited currently in detention, refused medical treatment from the State House Clinic.
EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho opposed Gambaryan’s second bail request, stating that despite the defendant’s health claims, the State House Clinic’s medical report showed Gambaryan was dissatisfied with the treatment provided and rejected it. Iheanacho argued that Gambaryan’s condition was not as severe as suggested and that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) had been offering sufficient medical care, including visits to several hospitals.
He maintained that the NCoS could facilitate Gambaryan’s treatment at any Nigerian hospital, but noted that surgery cannot be performed without the patient’s consent. Iheanacho also implied that Gambaryan’s health issues might be a common strategy used by defendants in trials.
In response, Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi SAN, requested bail on liberal terms due to his client’s health, arguing that his condition could not be adequately treated in Nigeria. The EFCC contested this, referring to multiple medical reports, including one from the State House Clinic.
The State House Clinic’s report revealed Gambaryan had been diagnosed with early multilevel disc disease and advised to undergo lumbar discectomy surgery. Despite these recommendations, Gambaryan allegedly refused to take prescribed medications and food, insisting on being treated at Nizamiye Hospital as ordered by a court.
The dispute underscores ongoing conflicts between Gambaryan’s defense and the EFCC regarding the adequacy of his medical treatment while in custody. Gambaryan and Binance Holdings Limited face charges related to money laundering and tax evasion.