Crime
Again, Court Rejects Binance Exec’s Bail Request Despite Health Plea
The Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant bail to Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of Binance Holdings Limited, who is facing charges of money laundering.
The court dismissed the application, despite his legal team’s plea for release on medical grounds, citing an ongoing appeal in the case.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, Justice Emeka Nwite rejected the bail request, stating that the application was an abuse of court process since Gambaryan had already appealed a previous court decision on the same matter.
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“This application is bound to fail,” Nwite said, emphasizing that ill health does not automatically warrant bail.
The Binance executive has been in custody since April, following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His lawyers have repeatedly raised concerns about his deteriorating health, arguing that he suffers from a herniated disc and requires urgent, specialized surgery.
Gambaryan’s health became a focal point after he collapsed in court in May, following the rejection of his initial bail plea.
Despite these claims, Justice Nwite ruled that Gambaryan failed to demonstrate that the correctional facility could not provide adequate medical care.
However, the judge ordered that the prison authorities take him to a specialist hospital in Abuja for further evaluation and treatment, under strict security for a period of three days.
The EFCC has challenged the severity of Gambaryan’s health issues.
In court documents opposing the bail, EFCC counsel Ekele Iheanacho argued that the defendant’s medical condition is not as critical as portrayed by his legal team.
The prosecution pointed to the absence of substantial evidence proving that Gambaryan’s health could not be managed within the correctional system.
Gambaryan’s case has sparked additional controversy, with the court previously issuing an arrest warrant for a doctor at the Kuje correctional facility for failing to produce the executive’s medical records.
The medical oversight, coupled with the ongoing legal battle, has intensified the scrutiny surrounding Gambaryan’s health and his detention.
The case continues as both sides await the outcome of Gambaryan’s appeal, while his family has warned that his health could further deteriorate without immediate medical intervention.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.
During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.
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“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.
Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.
Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.
A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.
The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.
While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.
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The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.
The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.
The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.
In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.
The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.
She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
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Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.
He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.
Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.
This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.
Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.
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