…grants Gambaryan’s request for hospital visit
The Federal High Court sitting in Maitama has ordered a bench warrant on Abraham Ehizojie, the medical doctor at Kuje Kuje Correctional Centre health facility for failing to produce the medical report of Tigran Gambaryan Binance executive or appear in court.
A bench warrant is a process or a legal document issued by the court itself for the detainment or arrest of a person in a criminal or civil court proceeding, either in a case of contempt, especially when the criminal defendant is on bail or a witness under subpoena does not appear for trial.
Justice Emeka Nwite also ordered that Gambaryan be taken to hospital, specifically Nizamiye hospital in Abuja for a medical checkup for 24 hours at any time of his choice but under full security.
At the last proceedings on July 5, Justice Nwite expressed dismay that his previous order to produce the medical results of Tigran Gambaryan was treated with levity. He told an official of the prison service who was present in Court that he will not take it lightly if the order is disobeyed again.
“You are treating my order with utmost disdain, I will not take it lightly if you fail to produce at the next adjourned date, 16th July. You should not take the court for a ride. Pass this message. The medical report of the second defendant, Gambaryan must be produced and made available to the defence Counsel before on or before July 16.
Mark Mordi, Counsel to the Gambaryan had prayed the court to order the doctor in charge of the prison medical services to appear before the court if he fails to make the records available on or before the adjourned date, which the Judge granted.
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“Failure to comply with this order on or before the adjourned date, the doctor in charge, Abraham Ehizojie shall come to court to explain the reason why they failed to comply”, Nwite had said.
Mordi also prayed the court to allow his client visit a hospital for proper check up.
However, the Judge’s order was not obeyed. During proceedings on Tuesday, Justice Nwite inquired of the prison official present on his order. The official said he delivered the order order to the doctor last week Tuesday as instructed.
Mordi then prayed the court should issue a bench warrant against the medical officer of the prison service and that his client be remanded in a hospital immediately.
Mordi told the Court that his client who was whisked in a wheelchair chair has back pain and that his condition had since deteriorated.
“I hereby make an order of bench warrant on the medical doctor to appear before this court”, Nwite held.
The case was then adjourned to October 2024 for continuation of the money laundering trial.
