Detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan will have to wait to find out if he’s been granted bail by a Nigerian court after the presiding judge chose to attend a legal seminar instead of his scheduled hearing.

As reported by local news outlets, Judge Emeka Nwite chose on Wednesday to attend a seminar at the National Judicial Institute instead of the Abuja Federal High Court.  

As a result, the Gambaryan’s bail ruling has been rescheduled to take place on Friday. Binance compliance officer Gambaryan has been in prison since February this year and his ruling was deferred by Judge Nwite last month. 

Read more: ‘This is f*cked up!’ Binance exec claims Nigerian court denied him wheelchair

Gambaryan was arrested in February and charged with money laundering alongside fellow Binance exec Nadeem Anjarwalla. However, Anjarwalla fled the country in March, escaping from the guest house in which the pair were staying after being led to a mosque to pray.

Lawyers representing Gambaryan argue his health has deteriorated since being detained due to the negligent treatment of prison officers. Indeed, he was filmed last month begging for a wheelchair and claiming to be in pain while walking to a court hearing.

Despite this, state prosecutors say he shouldn’t be granted bail, that he has exaggerated his illness, and has refused medical treatment. 

The US, however, has repeatedly signaled that Gambaryan should be released. A senior official at the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed they are attempting to gain consular access to the exec in order to check on his health.

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The US wants access to the detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, citing concern for his health as he remains imprisoned in Nigeria, according to a senior Nigerian official speaking to local media. 

Punch media reported yesterday that a senior official from the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke to the outlet on the condition of anonymity. 

The unnamed official claimed that the US is concerned about Gambaryan’s health, “especially now that his family has gone public in the US with the matter,” (emphasis ours) and is seeking consular access. 

They said, “I would not say they are lobbying, they are just concerned that they are not being granted access to the man (being a US citizen). Remember that Binance had their issue in the US as well.”

Read more: Binance exec accused of tax evasion flees Nigeria during mosque visit

Consular access involves government officials, in this case representing the US, communicating with imprisoned nationals to check on their welfare, ensure legal representation, and medical care, or even provide reading material. It is a mutual obligation, “based in treaties between the U.S. government and foreign governments.”

Nigeria prosecution say Binance exec is exaggerating illness

Gambaryan was arrested in February 2024 and charged with money laundering. According to his lawyer, “his health has continued to deteriorate while in prison custody.” A bail request was filed last week, which the courts will reportedly decide on next month.

However, a member of the prosecution counsel is attempting to counter this bail application. They claimed that Gambaryan was exaggerating his illness. Nigerian officials have also accused Gambaryan of refusing medical treatment. 

Last week he was filmed screaming, “This is f*cked up. Why couldn’t I use a goddamn wheelchair?” at Nigerian prison staff. Afterward, the court ordered prison staff to provide Gambaryan with a wheelchair.  

Binance CEO Richard Teng said last Wednesday, “He must be allowed to go home for medical treatment and to be with his family,” and called his treatment in Nigeria “inhumane.”

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The post US wants access to Binance exec in Nigeria over health concerns, report appeared first on Protos.

Footage has emerged of Binance exec Tigran Gambaryan, who has been detained in Nigeria for seven months, pleading with Nigerian prison staff after authorities reportedly denied his request for a wheelchair.

The Binance staffer, who was detained alongside fellow Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla when the pair traveled to Nigeria in February, was in court to answer money laundering charges. However, before proceedings could begin, he was seen screaming at prison staff and journalists, begging for help, and accusing the court of instructing warders not to help him.

In a video uploaded to X (formerly Twitter) he is seen shouting, “This is f*cked up. Why couldn’t I use a goddamn wheelchair? This is a show. I’m a f*cking innocent person. Why are you doing this to me?”

After being refused help from prison staff, he continued, “I can’t f*cking walk, this is f*cked up. I’m a f*cking human. “I’m not f*cking okay.”

Gambaryan has been denied bail on two occasions and alleges that, while in prison, he has been suffering from a number of ailments, including malaria, tonsillitis, pneumonia, and a herniated disc in his back. Nigerian officials, however, claim that he has refused treatment.

Read more: Nigeria teams with Interpol to return missing Binance exec

Why doesn’t Binance use private commandos?

The video of a clearly distressed Gambaryan has provoked widespread criticism on social media with many questioning why Binance, as his employer, will not or cannot do more to help.

Binance CEO Richard Teng posted on Wednesday, “This inhumane treatment of Tigran must end. He must be allowed to go home for medical treatment and to be with his family.”

However, this wasn’t enough for some users. “Bro. Too much talks/tweets without actions is nothing. You and Binance have failed him as his employer,” wrote one while another said, “Lmao! What are you people doing about it? Absolutely nothing. I’m almost convinced you people have sacrifices [sic] him.”

Others urged the US government to get involved and one even suggested Binance use ‘private commandos‘ to rescue him.

Users have also laid the blame for Gambaryan’s situation firmly at the door of the Nigerian justice system, pointing out that such treatment appears harsh, particularly given that he is, at least for now, innocent until proven guilty.

Read more: Binance exec accused of tax evasion flees Nigeria during mosque visit

The US government is yet to issue an official statement regarding Gambaryan, his detainment, or treatment by Nigerian authorities.

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The post ‘This is f*cked up!’ Binance exec claims Nigerian court denied him wheelchair appeared first on Protos.