Binance exec Tigran Gambaryan enters Nigeria court on crutches as trial resumes

Hearings resumed in Tigran Gambaryan’s money laundering trial on Monday, with the Binance executive entering the Abuja court in a very distressed state on crutches having been denied the use of a wheelchair, according to a family statement.

The Binance executive has been held by Nigerian authorities for six months, with his physical and mental health deteriorating rapidly having suffered a herniated disc in his back and bouts of Pneumonia, Malaria and Tonsillitis. Lawyers for Gambaryan also claim that his detention conditions at Kuje prison have meant they have been unable to meet with him to prepare for trial.

Gambaryan was in visible pain and broke down in court crying at one point, the family said. Gambaryan’s lawyers filed a new bail application for him on medical grounds, and the alleged block on access to their client.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecutors opposed the application, reportedly claiming that the Binance executive was not unwell and had refused treatment in any case, the family claimed. That’s despite the prosecutors handing over part of his medical records recommending surgery as soon as possible, they added, alleging key parts of the record had also been removed.

Gambaryan filed a lawsuit in March against Nigeria’s National Security Adviser and the EFCC for violating his basic human rights. He made a further plea to the judge on Monday, saying that he is not receiving proper medical care at the prison and is being denied access to his legal counsel and embassy representatives.

The judge ordered Gambaryan to be allowed to use a wheelchair and will continue to hear the bail application when the trial continues on Wednesday.

"My husband was unlawfully detained by the Nigerian government after being invited under false pretenses for a meeting in their country. During this prolonged imprisonment, his health continues to deteriorate, and now, he is in so much pain that he can barely walk. The U.S. Government must do more to help Tigran,” Gambaryan’s wife Yuki said in the statement.

“I am also deeply concerned about recent statements from Nigerian authorities denying Tigran's health issues. The truth is that the prison has withheld his medical records for months, and even the partial records they finally released today say that Tigran needs surgery. This entire situation is inhumane and degrading, and I am fed up. There must be consequences for this disregard of law and human rights," she added.

Responding to a video posted on X that appears to show Gambaryan struggling to enter the courtroom on crutches with assistance refused, Binance CEO Richard Teng said, "This inhumane treatment of Tigran must end. He must be allowed to go home for medical treatment and to be with his family."

Nigeria's EFCC did not respond to a request for comment from The Block.

How we got here

Gambaryan, a former Special Agent for the U.S. IRS and Binance’s Head of Financial Compliance, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa Regional Manager, were detained following their arrival in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, on Feb. 26, amid accusations of Binance making profits from illegal transactions locally.

Criminal charges were filed against Binance and the two executives on Feb. 28 in a $35 million money laundering and tax violation indictment. The tax charges against the executives were later dropped in June, leaving Binance as the sole defendant, but the money laundering charges against all the defendants remain. Anjarwalla escaped from custody on March 22, though Gambaryan remained in detention.

The Nigerian government previously called the allegations of Gambaryan’s poor healthcare "false," asserting that the Binance executive "has access to quality medical care whenever required" along with consular services from the United States.

Last week, Binance urged the U.S. government to exert political pressure to secure the release of Gambaryan on humanitarian grounds.