The detained Binance Holdings Limited executive, Tigran Gambaryan, made a daring attempt to escape from Kuje Correctional Facility, according to sources.
Gambaryan, currently held at Kuje Correctional Facility, reportedly applied for a new United States passport, alleging his original one, held by the EFCC, was missing.
According to sources close to the investigation, Gambaryan, who holds both American and Armenian passports, claimed to the US Embassy in Abuja that his passport was lost while in EFCC custody.
The EFCC swiftly responded, urging the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss Gambaryan’s bail application, expressing concerns that he might flee Nigeria, similar to his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla.
An insider familiar with the investigation disclosed, “Gambaryan attempted to flee from Kuje prison. He applied to the US embassy in Abuja for a new visa, falsely claiming his passport was lost while in EFCC’s possession.”
Another source, speaking on anonymity, revealed, “Gambaryan’s escape plan was thwarted when the US embassy flagged his passport request. They promptly alerted the EFCC, identifying him as a criminal suspect involved in money laundering activities.”
The EFCC, opposing Gambaryan’s bail application, emphasized the risk of granting him freedom, citing Anjarwalla’s successful escape to Kenya.
Furthermore, the prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, highlighted Gambaryan’s attempt to obtain a new passport despite knowing his original one was seized by the EFCC.
“Gambaryan’s actions pose a significant flight risk,” Iheanacho stated. “Granting him bail would jeopardize the ongoing investigation, especially considering his lack of ties to the Nigerian community.”
With Gambaryan, Anjarwalla, and Binance Holdings Limited facing charges of money laundering, the EFCC stressed the gravity of the situation, urging the court to deny Gambaryan bail.
The EFCC prosecutor said, “There was an attempt by this defendant to procure another travelling document even when he was aware that his passport was in the custody of the state. He pretended as if the said passport was stolen.”
“This court will be taking a grave risk to grant the defendant bail. This is also because he has no attachment to any community in Nigeria.
“The experience we have had with the man who escaped to Kenya while his United Kingdom passport is in Nigeria will certainly repeat itself if this defendant is granted bail.
“The 1st defendant (Binance) is operating virtually. The only thing we have to hold on to is this defendant. So, we pray My Lord to refuse bail to the defendant.”