By Emmanuel Ogbodo
The wife of detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan has reported that his health is in a “shockingly bad” condition and worsening daily. Yuki Gambaryan expressed concern that his health might deteriorate to the point of permanent damage if he is not released soon.
Despite a court order from Justice Emeka Nwite on Thursday, May 23, Gambaryan remains in Kuje prison and has not been transferred to a hospital, as stated by a family spokesperson. The family has voiced serious concerns over his well-being, citing the inadequate medical facilities at Kuje prison. “His health is in a shockingly bad condition and getting worse by the day. The herniated disc in his back has worsened to the point where it might leave permanent damage and affect his ability to walk,” Yuki Gambaryan said in a statement.
For several weeks, Tigran Gambaryan has reportedly complained to prison authorities about severe pain due to a herniated disc in his back, but the Nigerian government has not provided adequate care. His family claims that he has been in extreme pain and has struggled to walk, having been detained for over 160 days.
The court had ordered Gambaryan’s transfer to a hospital for treatment, but this directive was not followed. Gambaryan has been in detention for over four months. He was initially invited by Nigerian authorities to resolve a dispute with Binance but was apprehended by law enforcement after a meeting with government officials. While another detained Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, later escaped, he remains implicated in money laundering charges.
Yuki Gambaryan expressed her shock and devastation over the authorities’ inaction despite the court order, telling CoinDesk, “Tigran does not deserve such inhumane treatment.”
Judge Emeka, frustrated by the lack of compliance with court orders, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the hospital’s medical director, demanding their presence at the next hearing. He also ordered that Gambaryan be admitted to the hospital for 24 hours “for emphasis” and proper treatment. The judge had previously requested a medical report from the hospital where Gambaryan was treated, but the facility’s director has not complied.
Mrs. Gambaryan also claimed that her husband had been denied access to his lawyers since July 26.
Last month, the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) assured that Tigran Gambaryan, currently detained at Kuje prison in Abuja, is in good health, contradicting his family’s allegations. During a briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar addressed the concerns raised by Gambaryan’s family at the Abuja Federal High Court. Abubakar refuted these claims, stating, “Gambaryan is not under any serious health condition,” and emphasised that correctional facilities are equipped to handle inmates’ health issues.
Abubakar highlighted the service’s successful management of health crises, stating, “In 2020, during COVID-19, we recorded 0% of COVID patients in our custodial centres.” He assured that the NCoS has qualified medical personnel available to attend to any inmate health concerns and that inmates are referred to appropriate hospitals if their conditions cannot be managed within the facility. “Gambaryan is fine with us, and he will continue to be fine with us,” Abubakar reiterated, aiming to dispel any worries about the Binance executive’s well-being.
Binance and executives Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and head of financial crimes compliance, and British-Kenyan national Nadeem Anjarwalla, a regional manager for Africa, have been charged with laundering more than $35 million and engaging in specialised financial activities without a licence. The Federal High Court in Abuja has dropped charges against the two executives in the FIRS tax evasion case against the company. The court made the ruling following an amended charges application filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in response to a notice from Binance that it has appointed a Nigerian representative, Ayodele Omotilewa, in the case.
Gambaryan’s court trial is scheduled to continue on October 11.
