The trial of Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance, took a dramatic turn at the Federal High Court in Abuja when the defendant slumped in court on Thursday.

As proceedings resumed, Gambaryan failed to enter the dock when called upon by the court registrar for the continuation of the trial, remaining seated at the back. Concerned, Justice Emeka Nwite inquired about his absence.

A lawyer from the defence team, seated beside Gambaryan, assisted him towards the dock, holding his hand.

However, Gambaryan slumped on the way, prompting the lawyer to help him to a nearby seat in the front row.

Mark Mordi, Gambaryan’s lawyer, informed the court that his client had been indisposed and submitted a written application to notify the court of his condition.

At the previous hearing, Justice Nwite had denied Gambaryan’s bail application, citing concerns that he posed a flight risk similar to Nadeem Anjarwalla, co-accused with Binance Holdings Limited, in the money laundering and terrorism financing charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).