Family Raises Alarm Over Detained Binance Exec’s Declining Health in Nigeria

By: Eva Baxter

The family of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who has been detained in Nigeria, has expressed grave concerns regarding his deteriorating health and lack of legal access. In a statement dated August 12, Gambaryan's family revealed that he is being denied proper access to his legal counsel and detailed the rapid decline in his health condition.

Gambaryan traveled to Abuja in February for a meeting with Nigerian officials but has been in custody since February 26 after authorities confiscated his American passport. His detention, which now spans over six months, has also prevented him from seeing his family, including his wife and two young children. The situation worsened when the Abuja court began its summer recess on July 16, with the next hearing set for October 11. Since July 26, his legal team has been unable to communicate with him, a violation of the Nigerian constitution according to his family.

The family has highlighted serious health concerns, stating that his condition has drastically worsened while in custody at Kuje prison. He was last seen in a wheelchair during a court appearance, prompting the judge to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the prison doctor, Abraham Ehizojie, for not providing the required medical report. The judge also directed that Gambaryan be admitted to a hospital for immediate medical treatment. Despite this order, the prison authorities have yet to produce his medical records, and he remains untreated.

Gambaryan suffers from a herniated disc that needs complex and risky surgery. Additionally, he has faced multiple throat infections, pneumonia, and malaria, necessitating further surgery to remove his tonsils. According to his family, he is also currently on blood thinners to prevent clotting. Yuki Gambaryan, his wife, made a direct appeal to the Nigerian government, urging them to release him for the urgent medical care he requires. She emphasized the potential for permanent damage if his condition remains untreated, which could impair his ability to walk.

Besides the physical health implications, Yuki also underscored the emotional toll his detention has taken on the family. She stated, "Life is becoming harder and harder every day for all of us because of Tigran's absence." The family continues to advocate for his release, warning of the permanent health and emotional toll the extended detention is causing.