Binance's head of financial compliance, on trial for money laundering in Nigeria, will know on Oct. 9 whether he will be released on bail or remain in prison custody after a judge deferred ruling on h

Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, has been detained since February in a dispute between the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange and the Nigerian government.

ABUJA, Sept 28 (Reuters) - A Nigerian court on Wednesday adjourned ruling on whether to grant bail to Binance's head of financial compliance Tigran Gambaryan, who is on trial for money laundering.

Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, has been detained since February in a dispute between the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange and the Nigerian government over its operations in the country. He denies any wrongdoing.

Gambaryan appeared in court in the capital Abuja, where a judge heard hours of arguments from his lawyer and a state prosecutor over his bail request, which is being opposed on health grounds.

His lawyer told the court that Gambaryan needs to undergo surgery outside prison and that his health is deteriorating.

"The applicant is suffering from a life-threatening ailment for which he needs urgent surgery outside the prison environment," Gambaryan's lawyer said.

"His health condition is worsening by the day and he may not be able to survive the rigours of the prison environment for a much longer time."

But the prosecutor opposed the bail application, arguing that Gambaryan could abscond if released.

"The offences for which the defendant is standing trial are very serious and carry a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment," the prosecutor said.

"The defendant is a flight risk having the capacity to leave the country at any time."

The judge said she would make a ruling on Oct. 9 and sent Gambaryan back to prison.

Binance separately faces tax evasion charges, which it denies.

In March, the exchange stopped all transactions and trading in naira after a country-wide crackdown on crypto exchanges that authorities blamed for feeding a black market for foreign exchange. (Reporting by Camillus Eboh; Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Mark Potter)

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