Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of cryptocurrency platform Binance Holdings Limited, who is facing a money laundering charge, slumped at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
The development occurred shortly after the matter was called for continuation of trial before Justice Emeka Nwite.
As soon as the case was called by the court registrar, Mr Gambaryan did not step forward to the dock from the back where he was seated.
Justice Nwite then asked where the second defendant (Gambaryan) was and one of the lawyers in the defence team, who sat beside Gambaryan, held him by the side towards the dock.
As they walked slowly to the dock, Gambaryan fell down and the lawyer assisted him to sit in the front row seat.
His lawyer Mark Mordi explained to the court why his client could not stand.
Mordi said Gambaryan had been indisposed and a written application letter had been filed to notify the court of his health.
“My lord, the case may not certainly proceed today,” he said.
On May 16, Justice Nwite dismissed Gambaryan’s bail application on the ground that the EFCC had been able to establish that the defendant, who is currently being remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, would jump bail if granted.
The tax evasion charge filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against Binance Holdings Limited and Gambaryan could not proceed on Wednesday due to his absence in court.
