There was a mild commotion at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday when Tigran Gambaryan, a detained Binance executive facing a money laundering charge, collapsed in open court, claiming ill-health.
The incident happened shortly after the trial was scheduled to continue before Justice Emeka Nwite.
When the court registrar called the case, Gambaryan, who was seated in the back row, did not immediately come forward to the dock.
Justice Nwite inquired about Gambaryan’s whereabouts, and one of his defense lawyers, who was seated beside him, helped him towards the dock. As they walked, Gambaryan collapsed, and the lawyer assisted him to a front row seat.
Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, SAN, informed the court that his client was unable to stand due to illness, and a written application had been filed to notify the court.
Throughout the proceedings, Gambaryan remained seated, leaning on the arm of his chair.
It was noted that Gambaryan’s bail application had been denied earlier on the grounds that the EFCC had established he might flee if released.
Additionally, a tax evasion case against Binance Holdings Limited and Gambaryan, filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, had been postponed the previous day due to his absence in court.
