At a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, there was a small drama surrounding the notable absence of Tigran Gambaryan, an official of the jailed Binance Holdings Limited, from his trial.
His absence caused uncertainty and conjecture during the court sessions, and his attorneys voiced worries about the possible effects on the current case. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Lawyers and court authorities debated what to do next in light of this unexpected development as Gambaryan’s nonappearance sparked concerns about the conditions of his custody and the legal procedures surrounding it.
Justice Emeka Nwite scheduled today’s trial for continuation in the money laundering case that the EFCC had filed against Binance Ltd. and its national representative, Gambaryan. The trial was set to begin on October 11.
The incident transpired after Judge Nwite denied Gambaryan’s second bail request.
But all of the parties’ attorneys were present in court on Friday when the case was called, with the exception of Gambaryan, the second defendant.
The judge then asked Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, SAN, on the whereabouts of his client.
Mordi said he did not know why his client was not in court.
Also, the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, said he was surprised Gambaryan was not in court.
Iheanacho therefore sought a stand down to enable them inquire from the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) on what went wrong.
Counsel to Binance, Tonye Krukrubo, SAN, equally expressed worry over the absence of Gambaryan in court.
He said the EFCC should be able to tell why he was not in court.
“He is in their custody. It is funny they are saying they do not know his whereabouts,” he said.
“Was it not taken to the correctional centre in the day the matter was adjourned,” the judge asked.
Justuce Nwite then asked the NCoS officer who was in court why Gambaryan was not produce for his trial.
“Yes, my lord, he was taken to our custody,” the officer said in the open court.
“Did you not know his whereabouts,” Justice Nwite further asked.
“He is in our custody,” the officer insisted.
The judge, who asked him who was in-charge-of the Kuje Correctional Centre, directed the officer to put a telephone call to him.
“Call him and tell him the court is worry about his whereabouts,” the judge added
Justuce Nwite then stood down the matter.
Meanwhile when the court reconvened, Justice Nwite asked the NCoS officer about his findings.
Tye officer said he had been able to get in touch with his boss.
“I was told that he (Gambaryan) is very sick and that is why he could not be produce in court,” he responded.
Mordi, who appeared for Gambaryan, prayed the court for an adjournment.
“I urge for a date next week if only to report on the 2nd defendant’s state of health.
“This will allow parties to take necessary steps to ensure that the defendant is given the medical care required,” he said.
Iheanacho did not opposed Mordi’s oral application.
The lawyer said though he would have wanted the matter to proceed since their witness was in court, “we are also of concern about the defendant’s health status.”
“We are very concerned about the issues of health.”
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 25 for a report about Gambaryan’s health.
