A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Dr. Abraham Ehizojie, the medical officer in charge of the Kuje Correctional Centre’s health facility, following the issuance of a bench warrant on Tuesday.
The court issued the warrant due to Ehizojie’s alleged failure to produce the medical records of Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance Holdings Ltd., as requested.
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order following an application by Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mr. Mark Mordi (SAN).
Persecondnews reported that earlier today, Gambaryan entered the courtroom in a wheelchair.
He faces a money laundering charge filed against him and the cryptocurrency company by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Nwite on July 5 directed the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to produce Gambaryan’s medical certificate by July 16 (today), in response to a request by Mordi, Gambaryan’s legal representative.
Mordi had prayed the court to summon Ehizojie to explain why he had allegedly refused to make available his client’s medical report despite an earlier court order.
According to reports, Gambaryan collapsed in court on May 23 due to poor health.
His legal representatives, Aluko & Oyebode, warned on May 27 that his condition was deteriorating and that he was at risk of death if not provided proper medical care.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Mordi said in open court that the judge’s order had not been complied with.
The judge inquired about the status of the medical certificate, and the prison official responsible for transporting Gambaryan to court explained that he received the court order on July 9 (Tuesday) and promptly delivered it to the doctor, but did not provide the certificate as ordered.
“He is not here, and I expected him to be here,” he added.
Mr. Ekene Iheanacho, the EFCC prosecutor, expressed his expectation that the medical officer would be present in court.
Mordi requested that the court issue a bench warrant to compel the medical officer’s appearance in court on the next adjourned date.
He said: “My client came in here on a wheelchair. He has been complaining of back pain.
“We need to be careful of the life in our hands.”
Iheanacho, who did not dispute the fact that the defendant should be given adequate treatment, disagreed that Gambaryan should be placed on hospital remand.
Justice Nwite expressed disappointment and concern that a government agency would so blatantly disregard a court order, saying: “It’s unfortunate that a government institution would treat a court order with such levity.
“I hereby make an order of bench warrant on the medical doctor at the Kuje Correctional Service to appear before this court.”
Nwite also ordered Gambaryan to receive medical care at Nizamiye Hospital for 24 hours, at his convenience, but under strict security supervision.
The judge adjourned the matter until Oct. 11 and Oct. 18 for the continuation of the trial.
Prior to the current developments, Dr. Olubukola Akinwunmi, the Head of Payment Policy and Regulation at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), testified as a witness.
He was subsequently cross-examined by Mr. Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN), the counsel representing Binance, the first defendant in the ongoing criminal case.
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