Yuki Gambaryan, the wife of detained Binance official Tigran Gambaryan, has urged Nigerian authorities to comply with a court order to transfer her husband from Kuje prison to a hospital for medical care.
In a press release today, she expressed her devastation over the continued detention of her ailing husband despite the court’s directive.
Tigran, who has been held in Kuje prison since his arrest, has reportedly been suffering from serious health issues.
Mrs Gambaryan has called on President Bola Tinubu’s government to adhere to the court’s order and facilitate her husband’s transfer to a medical facility.
She has also appealed to the American government to intervene and secure her husband’s release.
“I am devastated and shocked that, despite the court’s clear directive for his admission to a hospital, the authorities have not allowed him to leave the very prison causing his illness,” Mrs Gambaryan said.
Gambaryan’s health issues came to light last week when he collapsed while appearing before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on charges of money laundering.
His legal representative, Mark Mordi, had informed the court on May 22 that Gambaryan had been unwell since the previous trial date and continued to experience health problems.
Legal representatives from Aluko and Oyebode, acting on behalf of Binance Holdings, have also raised concerns about Gambaryan’s health.
In a letter to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, partner C.J. Caleb detailed that Gambaryan had received intravenous (IV) treatment for malaria and was suffering from a throat infection.
Caleb highlighted that the ongoing renovation at the Kuje Medium Correctional Facility made it unsuitable for proper medical treatment.
Gambaryan’s arrest occurred three months ago during an official visit to Nigeria, alongside colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla.
Binance, the cryptocurrency trading platform, faces multiple charges in Nigeria, including money laundering and tax evasion amounting to $35 million.
The legal action is part of a broader crackdown by Nigerian authorities on cryptocurrencies, which they accuse of facilitating speculation and manipulation of the naira.
In response, Binance has blocked its website for Nigerian users, disabled its P2P function, and exited the Nigerian market.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes has refuted allegations made by an online newspaper accusing some committee members of accepting a $140 million bribe from Binance CEO, Mr Richard Ten, to cover up alleged crimes committed by the firm in Nigeria.
Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, addressed the media during a press briefing at the National Assembly, dismissing the allegations as false.
The committee’s stance follows a motion passed by the House on May 8, 2024, calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape of Binance executive, Mr. Najeem Anjarwalla, from the custody of the National Security Adviser.
