Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of Binance Holdings Limited, was brought into the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday in a wheelchair, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans.
Gambaryan, who is facing money laundering charges alongside the cryptocurrency firm, slowly walked into the dock after standing up from the wheelchair.
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Ogechi Ujam, announced that the lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, was absent, and the trial’s continuation was thereby delayed.
Ujam prayed the court to stand down the matter to enable Iheanacho conduct the trial.
Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, who appeared for Binance (1st defendant) and Mark Mordi, SAN, who represented Gambaryan, did not oppose the application.
Justice Emeka Nwite stepped down the matter until 12pm.
Recall that Justice Nwite had, on July 5, ordered the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to release the medical certificate of Gambaryan on or before July 16.
The judge gave the order following an application by Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mordi.
Mordi had prayed the court to summon the medical doctor at the health facility of Kuje Correctional Centre, to explain why he had allegedly refused to make available his client’s medical report despite earlier court order.
