A Nigerian court has issued an arrest warrant for Dr. Abraham Ehizojie, a physician at Kuje Correctional Centre, over his failure to present a medical report for Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive currently detained at the facility.
This decision was made by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja after the doctor’s repeated absence from court hearings and failure to comply with orders.
Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, pushed for the warrant after Dr. Ehizojie neglected to submit a medical report by the court-mandated deadline of July 16.
Gambaryan, who arrived at the latest hearing in a wheelchair, has been suffering from severe back pain and other health issues.
Mordi emphasized the urgency of his client’s medical needs, stressing the potential risk to Gambaryan’s life.
Gambaryan, detained since February on charges of money laundering and foreign exchange violations, has experienced significant health setbacks, including testing positive for malaria and collapsing in court in May.
Concerns about his well-being have extended beyond Nigeria, with U.S. lawmakers expressing alarm over his treatment and the conditions at Kuje Prison, which they argue are unsuitable for detainees like Gambaryan.
U.S. Representative French Hill, who visited the prison in June, reported that Gambaryan was suffering from malaria and double pneumonia, had lost considerable weight, and was not receiving adequate medical care.
In response to these issues, Justice Nwite has ordered Gambaryan to be transferred to Nizamiye Hospital for a comprehensive 24-hour medical examination.
The case is set to resume on October 11, with the court keenly monitoring the situation to ensure Gambaryan receives the necessary medical attention.
