The family of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive held in Nigeria for six months on money laundering accusations, has expressed concern over his deteriorating health.
According to a statement, Gambaryan is currently unable to walk due to acute back discomfort caused by a herniated disc.
His family claims that he was refused access to proper medical care while in jail and has petitioned the Nigerian government to free him on humanitarian grounds.
Gambaryan was charged, along with another executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, with conspiring to conceal the source of $35.4 million in financial gains from illegal activities in Nigeria.
According to the article, on July 30, 2024, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Abraham Ehizojie, a medical practitioner at the Kuje Correctional Centre, for failing to present Gambaryan’s medical report or appear in court.
This order was issued when Gambaryan’s counsel raised concerns about his health, pointing out that he had previously been in court in a wheelchair.
The EFCC’s Ekene Iheanacho notified the judge that the medical officer would come to address the ongoing proceedings about the health of jailed Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan.
“In detention, he was refused access to necessary medical care and is now in such much pain from a herniated disc in his back that he cannot walk. Because he is bed-bound, he is required to take blood thinners to prevent blood clots, and the jail doctor has indicated that his muscles have atrophied. They were granted a quick 5-minute visit on August 15th, but have since been barred from coming again.
“The U.S. Embassy also no longer has access to Tigran, as he is not allowed to use a wheelchair and cannot physically walk to the visitor area,” the message instructs.
The announcement also revealed that the detained Binance executive had successfully asked to have his case heard during the court recess. Despite the ongoing recess, Justice Nwite’s court, which functions as a vacation court, authorized the application, with the next hearing set for September 2, 2024.
Yuki, Tigran’s wife, seized the opportunity to push the government to release her husband.
“I haven’t embraced my husband in six months, and our children haven’t held their father’s hand.
“My husband, Tigran Gambaryan, a former US federal agent, has been incarcerated in a Nigerian prison for half a year. His health has deteriorated to the point where he is unable to walk, and he is being denied access to a wheelchair.
“For six months, our living nightmare has been filled with pleas. Pleas to the U.S. government, pleas to the Nigerian government, pleas to the media, pleas to anyone who will listen. I am pleading for their mercy, their understanding, and their humanity. My husband is innocent and needs to be released before it is too late and the damage done to him is irreversible. Six months is too long; please help me bring my husband home,” she stated.
