Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who has been in detention in Nigeria since February, faced a difficult situation on Monday. He appeared in an Abuja courtroom, struggling to walk and dragging his leg behind him because prison authorities had denied his request for a wheelchair. This new footage highlights the challenges he is facing while in custody.
Detained Binance Exec Pleads for Help in Court Video
Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive detained in Nigeria since February, was seen struggling into an Abuja courtroom on Monday, dragging his left leg as prison officials had denied his request for a wheelchair.
In footage shared on X (formerly Twitter), Gambaryan is shown pleading with a prison guard for help while walking into the courtroom. He expresses his distress, saying, “I’m not okay, this is messed up,” while gripping the guard’s wrist. When the guard pulled away, leaving Gambaryan with just one crutch, he turned to a nearby crowd and complained, “He was told not to assist me. Why can’t I use a wheelchair? This is absurd. I’m innocent. Why is this happening?”
As Gambaryan struggled to move, he reached out again for the guard’s arm, but was told, “Don’t hold me, please. You can walk.” In response, Gambaryan, clearly in pain, stated, “I can’t walk; my spine is in terrible shape. I’m human, and I’m suffering.”
Legal and Medical Challenges: Gambaryan’s Bail Request and Health Concerns
Gambaryan’s attorneys submitted a new bail application on medical grounds on Monday, citing serious health issues including malaria, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and severe pain from a herniated disc. According to a family spokesperson, Gambaryan’s condition has worsened, severely impacting his mobility.
The EFCC, which is prosecuting Gambaryan for money laundering, opposed the bail request, arguing that his health is not as dire as claimed and that he is refusing treatment. Gambaryan’s previous bail request was rejected in May.
The Kuje prison authorities, who have held Gambaryan since March, have been reluctant to release his medical records. Some records were provided during Monday’s hearing, indicating a need for urgent surgery but missing crucial details like an MRI scan.
In addition to inadequate medical care, Gambaryan has had limited access to his lawyers and U.S. embassy representatives. His wife, Yuki, condemned the situation as “inhumane and degrading,” calling on the U.S. Government to take action to secure her husband’s release and address the violations of his rights.
