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 Kuje Correctional Centre.
The order was given for the doctor’s alleged refusal to submit the medical report of Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance Holdings Ltd.
The arrest order followed an application by Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Gambaryan was brought to court in a wheelchair.
He and Binance Holdings Ltd face money laundering charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On July 5, Justice Nwite had directed the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to provide Gambaryan’s medical certificate by July 16.
Mordi had requested the court to summon Dr. Ehizojie to explain the delay in submitting the medical report despite the court’s order.
Gambaryan had collapsed in court on May 23, citing ill health.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Mordi informed the court that the judge’s order had not been fulfilled.
Justice Nwite then questioned a prison official about the situation. The official confirmed that the court order was delivered to Dr. Ehizojie on July 9, 2024.
EFCC counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, expressed surprise that the medical officer was not present in court.
Mordi then requested the court to issue a bench warrant against the doctor and to order an immediate hospital remand for Gambaryan to undergo a thorough medical examination.
“My client came in here on a wheelchair. He has been complaining of a back pain.
“We need to be careful of the life in our hands,” Mordi said.
While Iheanacho agreed that Gambaryan should receive proper medical treatment, he opposed placing him in hospital remand. After considering the arguments, Justice Nwite expressed frustration at the disregard for court orders by a government institution.
“I hereby make an order of bench warrant on the medical doctor at the Kuje Correctional Service, to appear before this court,” he declared.
The judge also directed that Gambaryan be taken to Nizamiye Hospital for medical care for 24 hours, under full security surveillance.
The case was adjourned to October 11 and October 18 for the continuation of the trial.
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