The arraignment of Binance Holdings Limited and one of its senior executives, Tigray Gambaryan, has been postponed before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The arraignment could not proceed because the second defendant, Gambaryan, had not been served with the charge by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
At the day’s hearings, his counsel, Tonye Krukrubo, brought the court’s attention to the fact that his client, whom the Federal Government has scheduled for arraignment, is unaware of the charges against him.
Counsel for the FIRS informed the court that service on the second defendant had been difficult because he was in detention. He asked the court to grant leave so that the defendant may be served in court.
Counsel for the defendant also questioned the Federal Government’s actions in serving the accusation on the defendant, but did not object. The judge directed that the defendant be served in court.
The prosecution requested that the court adjourn the case so that the defendant could review the charges and prepare to enter his plea.
Justice Emeka Nwite then deferred the FIRS complaint until April 19th for arraignment.
The EFCC filed a second action, this time alleging five charges of money laundering and corruption.
The case could also not proceed since the defendant’s counsel stated that the charge before the court was a joint one, and the first defendants (Binance) had not been served.
Justice Nwite then deferred the matter until April 8th to rule on whether arraignment will proceed without proof of service in Binance.