The recent detention of Tigran Gambaryan, an American executive of Binance, by the Nigerian government has caught the attention of many, including Binance CEO Richard Teng. In a public statement, Teng criticized the Nigerian government for its treatment of Gambaryan, highlighting a disturbing viral video that showcased Gambaryan’s struggle to walk into a courtroom. This public condemnation sheds light on the inhumane conditions Gambaryan is facing in Nigerian custody.
The viral video in question shows Gambaryan limping into a courtroom in Abuja, clearly in distress. Despite his pleas for a wheelchair, Gambaryan was denied one by prison authorities, forcing him to drag his left leg behind him as he entered the courtroom. The lack of basic accommodations for someone clearly struggling with mobility issues is deeply troubling, and Gambaryan’s desperation is evident in his lament that he is an innocent person being treated unjustly.
Members of Gambaryan’s family have expressed serious concerns about his deteriorating health while in Nigerian custody. They have reported that his health has significantly worsened, citing conditions such as malaria, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and a herniated disc that have left him in severe pain and almost immobile. Gambaryan’s legal team has filed a bail application on medical grounds, arguing that he urgently needs medical treatment that he cannot receive in prison. However, the opposition from Nigeria’s EFCC to the bail request raises questions about their commitment to the well-being of detainees in their custody.
Despite the legal efforts to secure Gambaryan’s release on medical grounds, the judge has only ordered that he be allowed to use a wheelchair for now. The case is set to continue on September 4, but the opposition from the EFCC and the ongoing mistreatment of Gambaryan raise serious doubts about the fairness and humanity of the Nigerian legal system. It is imperative that Gambaryan’s health and well-being are prioritized, and that he is granted the medical treatment he urgently needs. The international community will be watching closely to see how this case unfolds and whether justice is served for Tigran Gambaryan.