Dr. Abraham Ehizojie, a medical doctor at the Kuje Correctional Centre, is now the subject of a bench warrant issued by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. This warrant was issued after Dr. Ehizojie failed to produce a medical report for Tigran Gambaryan, an executive at Binance, or appear in court as previously ordered.
Justice Nwite had specifically instructed the Nigerian Correctional Service to provide Gambaryan’s medical report and warned against noncompliance. However, during the recent court session, Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, revealed that this order had not been followed. A prison official confirmed that they had delivered the court order to Dr. Ehizojie but noted his absence in court.
Ekene Iheanacho, the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), expressed surprise at Dr. Ehizojie’s absence. In response, Mordi requested that the court issue a bench warrant for the doctor and remand Gambaryan to a hospital for immediate medical diagnosis, citing his client’s severe back pain and deteriorating health condition.
Justice Nwite criticized the disregard for court orders and proceeded to issue the bench warrant for Dr. Ehizojie. Additionally, he ordered that Gambaryan be taken to Nizamiye Hospital for a 24-hour medical checkup under full security. The case has been adjourned to October 11 for continuation.
Aside from the health concerns, Gambaryan is also facing charges alongside Binance for money laundering and foreign exchange violations. Despite these legal battles, his family and legal team are continuing to push for his immediate medical treatment and release.
In a statement, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, expressed deep concern over her husband’s health. She emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to provide him with the necessary medical attention.
The Nigerian government has accused Binance and its executives, including Gambaryan, of conspiring to hide the origins of $35,400,000 in financial proceeds from alleged unlawful activities in Nigeria. Binance is also currently facing a separate lawsuit from the Federal Inland Revenue Service for tax evasion.
In the midst of these legal challenges, the question arises of how much enforcement is too much when it comes to cleaning up the crypto industry.