There was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, as detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, who is facing a money laundering charge, slumped in the open court alleging ill-health.
The development occurred shortly after the matter was called for continuation of trial before Justice Emeka Nwite.
When the matter was called by the court registrar, Gambaryan did not step forward to the dock from the back row seat where he was seated.
Justice Nwite then asked where the 2nd defendant (Gambaryan) was and one of the lawyers in the defence team, who sat beside Gambaryan, held him up by the side and moved towards the dock.
As they walked slowly to the dock, the Binance executive slumped and the lawyer assisted him to sit in the front row seat.
His lawyer, Mark Mordi, SAN, explained to the court why his client could not stand as soon as the matter was called.
Mordi said Gambaryan had been indisposed and a written application letter had been filed to notify the court of his failing health.
“My lord, the case may not certainly proceed today,” he said.
It was observes that throughout the proceeding, the cryptocurrency firm’s agent rested on the arm of the seat where he was sitting.
Justice Nwite had, on May 16, dismissed Gambaryan’s bail application on the ground that the EFCC had been able to establish that the defendant, who is currently being remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, would jump bail if granted.
It would also be recalled that the alleged tax evasion charge filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against Binance Holdings Limited and Gambaryan could not proceed on Wednesday due to his absence in court. (NAN)