Binance Executive Challenges Nigerian Government in Legal Battle
Tigran Gambaryan, the Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange, has taken legal action against the Nigerian government, claiming that his basic human rights have been violated.
Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance Regional Manager for Africa, were detained in late February after meeting with officials from Nigeria’s National Security Adviser and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Abuja. Following the meeting, they were held at a government housing unit.
On March 25, the Nigerian government filed four charges of tax evasion against Binance at the Federal High Court. Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were also named as defendants in the case and were scheduled for arraignment on April 4.
In a surprising turn of events, Anjarwalla reportedly escaped from custody on March 25 while being detained with Gambaryan. Nigerian authorities are currently investigating how he managed to flee the country.
On March 28, Gambaryan filed a motion at the Federal High Court in Abuja, stating that his continued detention and the seizure of his international passport are in violation of his constitutional right to liberty and personal privacy.
Through his legal representation, Gambaryan is seeking a court order for his immediate release and the return of his travel documents. He is also demanding a public written apology from Nigeria’s National Security Adviser and EFCC. Anjarwalla had filed a similar lawsuit before his escape.
The case has been adjourned to April 8 by Justice Inyang Ekwo. Gambaryan’s motion argues that he has not committed any criminal offense that would justify his detention in Nigeria for over a month.
This legal battle comes at a time of escalating tensions between Nigerian authorities and Binance, with issues surrounding regulatory compliance and allegations of unregistered operations in the country. The outcome of this high-profile case will determine how the court views the detained executive’s claims against the Nigerian government.
The upcoming hearing in early April will be closely watched, as it will reveal whether Nigerian law and constitutional protections can withstand allegations of rights violations. Gambaryan’s fight for justice not only represents his personal quest for freedom but also serves as a crucial test for Nigeria’s democracy as it strives to strike a balance between enforcement and due process. The way the courts handle this high-profile case challenging state authority will be closely monitored, both within and outside the country. The outcome of the legal battle between Gambaryan and the Nigerian government carries significant weight.