Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Dr. Abraham Ehizojie, a medical doctor at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The warrant comes after Dr Ehizojie failed to comply with court orders to produce a medical report for Tigran Gambaryan, an executive at Binance who had been detained in Nigeria since February 2024 over money laundering and foreign exchange violations charges.
Local media reported that Justice Nwite had previously instructed the Nigerian Correctional Service to provide Gambaryan’s medical report. However, during a court session on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, informed the court that the order had not been followed despite the delivery of the court order to Dr. Ehizojie. A prison official confirmed the delivery but noted the doctor’s absence in court.
Per the report, Ekene Iheanacho, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), expressed surprise at Dr. Ehizojie’s absence. Mordi, advocating for his client’s health, requested the court to issue a bench warrant for the doctor’s arrest and to transfer Gambaryan to Nizamiye Hospital for a 24-hour medical evaluation under tight security. He highlighted Gambaryan’s severe back pain and deteriorating health condition, noting that Gambaryan appeared in court in a wheelchair.
Addressing the situation, Justice Nwite criticised the disregard for court orders and promptly issued the bench warrant for Dr. Ehizojie’s arrest. Additionally, he ordered that Gambaryan be taken to Nizamiye Hospital for immediate medical examination, scheduled to last 24 hours. The case has been adjourned to October 11 for further proceedings.
Meanwhile, outside the court, some United States lawmakers had previously raised concerns over Gambaryan’s health and criticised the Kuje Prison, which they claimed was designed to hold “ISIS combatants.” According to the lawmakers, he was being denied adequate medical attention and had lost weight.
Notably, Gambaryan collapsed in open court due to deteriorating health conditions at a hearing on May 23. He has reportedly tested positive for malaria during his time at the prison facilities.
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