Binance Executive Gambaryan Speaks Out On Alleged Nigerian Government Mistreatment Amidst Legal Battle

Binance Executive Gambaryan Speaks Out On Alleged Nigerian Government Mistreatment Amidst Legal Battle

Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive facing money laundering charges, has raised serious concerns about his treatment by Nigerian authorities. In a widely circulated video posted by SYMFONI, Gambaryan, who appeared on crutches, accused the Nigerian Correctional Service of neglecting him based on government directives.

In the video, Gambaryan expressed frustration, stating, “This is messed up; I was told not to be helped. This is a government order. It’s all a show—I am innocent.”

This development follows Gambaryan’s recent court appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja. On August 28, 2024, Gambaryan’s attorney, Mark Mordi, SAN, submitted a bail application on his behalf. However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Ekene Iheanacho, opposed the bail, arguing that Gambaryan’s long-standing health condition, which has persisted for over a decade, does not justify bail.

Iheanacho remarked, “My Lord, I won’t go into details, but the defendant has had this condition for 12 years prior to his arrival in Nigeria. It’s not a new issue.”

Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, also criticized the situation, calling it “entirely unjust” and alleging that the Nigerian government unlawfully detained her husband after enticing him to the country under false pretenses.

In April, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court ordered Gambaryan to remain in Kuje prison pending a decision on his bail application.

According to Naija News, Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who remains at large, were arrested in February for allegedly exploiting Nigeria’s currency through their cryptocurrency platform.

The Federal Government has asserted that Binance is unregistered in Nigeria, has not paid taxes, and has operated without the necessary regulatory oversight to detect criminal activities.

Meanwhile, American lawmakers have called on the U.S. government to declare Tigran Gambaryan as “wrongfully detained” in Nigeria, adding to the growing international scrutiny of the case.