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.
Read Also: FG Ends NNPC’s Monopoly, Opens Direct Purchase of Petrol From Dangote Refinery
“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 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
READ MORE: Bangkok Shuts Over 350 Schools As Air Pollution Reaches Dangerous Levels
The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
READ MORE: China’s Population Shrinks For Third Year Amid Aging Crisis, Low Birth Rate
During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
ALSO READ: NNPC Ltd Disclaims Recruitment Announcement For PHRC
According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.
Kano Police Warn Residents Of Imminent Terror Attack Threats
TCN Completes Relocation Of 8 Towers, Ends Power Rationing In Abuja
Ifon-Ilobu-Erin Osun Land Disputes: Osun Constitutes A 100-Member Boundary Resolution Committee
Savannah Energy Provides Unaudited FY 2024 Trading Updates
Okpebholo Moves To End Indiscriminate Parking, Gridlock In Edo State
Leadership Newspaper Backs Adeleke For Second Tenure, Names Him ‘Gov Of The Year’
OSSG Raises Alarm Over Murder Plot By APC Chieftain
NCC, SMEDAN, NAICOM, SEC, Others Set for SUPERNEWS SMEs Conf June 13
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
