Detained Binance Executive Sues Nigerian Government

Tigran Gambaryan, Vice President for Global Intelligence and Investigations at cryptocurrency exchange Binance, who has been in custody in Nigeria since February 25, has filed a lawsuit against the country’s authorities for violating his rights, according to local media.

The charges are specifically directed at Nigeria’s National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Gambaryan claims that his detention and the confiscation of his passport contradict the local Constitution, which guarantees “personal liberty” and “trial within a reasonable time.”

He has urged the court to compel the NSA and EFCC to release him from custody, immediately return his passport, and issue a public apology.

Gambaryan also demanded an indefinite court order preventing his further detention in connection with any investigations or demands made of Binance.

The executive stated that he, along with Binance’s Director for West and East Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, arrived in Nigeria at the invitation of the authorities to discuss the exchange’s activities. He committed no offenses and received no written notifications of any.

“The sole reason for the detention is that the government is requesting information from Binance and making demands of the company,” he added.

Earlier, Anjarwalla, who managed to leave the country illegally, filed a similar lawsuit.

The Nigerian government has sought Interpol’s assistance to locate and arrest Anjarwalla for trial, according to local media.

The lower court has postponed the hearing of Gambaryan’s case until April 8.

Earlier, Nigerian authorities accused Binance Holdings Limited and two of its top executives of tax evasion.

The prosecution insists that individuals used the exchange to launder nearly $21.6 billion.

Previously, Binance was required to provide data on all Nigerian users and their transaction history. The platform was also obliged to settle any outstanding tax liabilities.

Potentially, Binance could face a fine of $10 billion.