Aluko & Oyebode, the law firm representing Binance, has expressed concerns about the welfare of Mr. Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of the cryptocurrency company, who is standing trial alongside the firm in Nigeria.
In a letter signed by partner C.J. Caleb and addressed to the deputy chief registrar of the Federal High Court, the firm warned that Mr. Gambaryan’s life may be at risk if he remains in Kuje Correctional Centre.
The letter, dated and filed on May 23 and seen on Sunday, was titled ‘Re: Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/128/2024—Application for the Provision of Medical Treatment to Mr. Tigran Gambrayan at Nizamiye Hospital’.
“We continue to act as counsel to Mr Tigran Gambaryan, the second defendant in the captioned suit pending before the Honourable Justice E. Nwite sitting at Court 9 of the Federal High Court, Abuja,” said the letter.
The legal firm representative reported that Mr. Gambaryan, the head of financial crimes compliance at the cryptocurrency platform, broke down in prison on Wednesday and received intravenous (IV) treatment for malaria from medical personnel.
“Please be informed that the 2nd defendant, who is an American citizen and remanded at the Kuje Medium Correctional Facility, is very ill and requires comprehensive medical attention at the best available hospital within the jurisdiction of this honourable court.
“The applicant broke down yesterday, and the medical facility gave him intravenous (IV) treatment for malaria,” the letter said.
READ ALSO: Binance Executive Denied Bail, Remains in Kuje Prison
The legal chamber thus raised concerns over Mr. Gambaryan’s ongoing detention in the correctional facility, expressing fears for his life due to his reportedly deteriorating health.
“The consul officer at the United States Consul Office in Abuja emphasized the need for the applicant to receive comprehensive treatment because malaria is a severe disease for American citizens which can result in death because they do not have the immunity that ordinary Nigerians have against the disease,” it stressed.
The law firm, who said the defendant equally suffered from a throat infection, added that “the Kuje Medium Correctional Facility is currently undergoing renovation works.”
“It is, therefore, not best suited for the medical treatment of the applicant,” it stated. “Given the above, we humbly apply that the applicant be transferred to Nizayime Hospital, Abuja, to receive comprehensive diagnoses and treatment for the preservation of his life. We kindly request that this application be drawn to the attention of the court. We look forward to a favourable consideration.”
On Thursday, Mr Gambaryan collapsed in court over alleged ill-health.
(NAN)
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
