In a session on Tuesday, Justice Nwite responded to a plea by Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, issuing a series of directives. Gambaryan, arriving at court earlier in a wheelchair, stands accused alongside a cryptocurrency firm of money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Earlier, on July 5, Justice Nwite had instructed the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to furnish Gambaryan’s medical certificate by July 16, following an application by Mordi. Today, Mordi informed the court that the order had not been adhered to, prompting the judge to question a prison official regarding compliance.
The official confirmed delivering the court order to the correctional centre’s doctor on July 9, 2024. However, the EFCC’s counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, expressed surprise that the medical officer was not present in court as expected.
Mordi then requested a bench warrant against the medical officer to ensure their appearance at the next hearing. He also sought immediate hospital remand for his client to undergo a thorough medical examination, a request opposed by Iheanacho, who agreed Gambaryan deserved proper medical attention but disagreed with hospital remand.
Addressing the situation, Justice Nwite criticized the correctional centre’s handling of the court order, deeming it unfortunate. He issued a bench warrant for the medical officer’s appearance and directed Gambaryan’s transfer to Nizamiye Hospital for 24-hour medical care under security surveillance at any convenient time.
The judge adjourned the case until October 11 and October 18 for further proceedings. Earlier in the session, Dr. Olubukola Akinwunmi of the Central Bank of Nigeria testified and was cross-examined by Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, representing Binance, the first defendant in the criminal case.
