Court declines to relocate Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan from Kuje prison to EFCC custody
![Tigran Gambaryan](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/tigran-gambaryan.png)
The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Monday declined an oral application made by Binance Holdings executive Tigran Gambaryan to change his holding facility from Kuje prison to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr Gambaryan, a United States citizen who heads Binance’s financial crime compliance department, pleaded not guilty to a five-count money laundering charge on Monday.
Mike Mordi, the lawyer representing Mr Gambaryan, pleaded with Justice Emeka Nwite to allow his client to remain with EFCC operatives rather than the Kuje correctional facility after the court set April 18 for the bail application hearing.
EFCC counsel E.E. Iheanacho countered his colleague, asserting there was nothing wrong in Mr Gambaryan’s detention in Kuje prison.
According to him, people accused of committing similar financial crimes were usually held there. He argued that until a new detention facility is built for money laundering charges, Mr Gambaryan should remain in Kuje prison.
After hearing both counsels’ arguments, Mr Nwite chided Mr Mordi for not filing a separate application for a change of detention facility for his client.
The senior jurist said he was bound by law not to honour any application not formally made, implying that Mr Mordi only raised his concerns as an afterthought — after the court had set Mr Gambaryan’s bail application for April 18.
Mr Gambaryan will remain in Kuje prison until the court reconvenes to determine whether or not he should be released on bail and possibly provide a list of conditions for the bail, if granted.
The matter is scheduled to proceed to trial on May 2.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
![Katsina State](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/1863B29B-AC06-49E0-ADFA-655BBEC3389A.jpeg)
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
![Nigeria Eagles](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Nigeria-Eagles.png)
Sport
Nigeria’s Future Eagles withdraw from UEFA youth tourney after Spanish Embassy denies team’s visas
The NFF said players and officials of the Future Eagles were denied visas by the Spanish Embassy to take part in the tournament.
![Nyesom Wike, International Conference Centre](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Nyesom-Wike-International-Conference-Centre.png)
Abuja
FCT Minister Wike orders closure of International Conference Centre
Mr Wike announced the suspension after he inspected the centre in Abuja on Monday.
![Gaza destruction](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/D44378C4-5BDF-40CB-B586-D9F135772DD3.jpeg)
World
Germany accused of aiding and abetting Gaza ‘genocide’
By supplying arms to Israel, Germany is facilitating genocide and violating international law, Nicaragua’s legal representatives told the UN’s highest court.
![Road Safety Officiers](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Some-Road-Safety-Officiers.jpg)
States
FRSC launches special Sallah patrol in Kaduna
The FRSC sector commander said the special patrol was for the command to achieve crash-free festivities.
![Tigran Gambaryan](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/tigran-gambaryan.png)
NationWide
Sending Tigran Gambaryan to Kuje prison ‘outrageous’; Nigerian government should free him for negotiation: Binance
“We are deeply disappointed that Tigran Gambaryan, who has no decision-making power in the company, continues to be detained.”
![Director General of the NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman.](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Hadiza.jpg)
NationWide
FG launches app for Nigerians to track ministries’ performances
The Citizens’ Delivery Tracker affords citizens the opportunity to view the priority programmes and projects of the federal government on their devices.