The absence of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance Holding Limited Executive, today stalled his arraignment before Justice Emeka Nwite of an Abuja High Court.
Gambaryan is the second defendant in a case that bothers on tax evasion and instituted by the Federal Inland Revenue against Binance Holding Limited.
Recall that Justice Nwite had at last sitting rejected the bail application put forward by counsel to the Defendant on the grant that he will jump bail. This paved way for his planned arraignment.
At the resumed sitting on the matter on Wednesday, Gambaryan, was absent in court, a development that stalled his arraignment.
When the case was mentioned, the Prosecution Counsel, Moses Idehu, said he was surprised that the Second defendant was not produced in court by officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service and sought the leave of the court to contact.
Reacting to the development, Counsel to the first and Second Defendants, krukrubo Tonye (SAN) and Chukwuka Ikuazor, frowned at the absence of the second defendant noting that, the Prosecution was to be held accountable for the lapses.
The development led to series of argument and counter arguments among Counsels, just as Counsels to the first and second defendants moved against standing down of the some hours.
Also, Counsels to the defendants.equally drew the attention of the court to another issue, that could delay the planned arraignment of the defendant, which is the listing of the third defendant now on the run as party in the case.
Another issue is that of the appropriate language for the defendant during arraignment, just as Justice Nwite urged the Prosecution Counsel to note the issues and act on them accordingly.
The Matter has been adjourned to 14th of June for arraignment while the Prosecution Counsel has been urged to ensure that the second defendant appear in court on the said date.
