Binance’s head of financial crime compliance has taken legal action against the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria, demanding an apology for his detention in the country. Tigran Gambaryan claims that his detainment upon arrival in February and the seizure of his passport violated Nigeria’s constitution, which guarantees personal liberty. In his lawsuit, Gambaryan alleges that the government is using his ongoing detention as leverage to pressure Binance. He argues that Nigeria could have communicated with Binance through alternative channels instead of detaining him for attending a meeting.
Gambaryan’s motion additionally requests the return of his passport and a public apology. Nadeem Anjarwalla, the regional manager for Africa at Binance, who was also detained, has filed a similar complaint. Anjarwalla reportedly managed to escape Nigerian detention recently.
During the court proceedings, Gambaryan’s lawyer informed Justice Inyang Ekwo that their application had been served to the respondents, who still had time to respond. The lawyer requested an adjournment for the ONSA and EFCC to provide their responses, which the judge granted, postponing the case to April 8.
Crypto enthusiasts in Nigeria have speculated about the situation, with some expressing concerns about receiving fair treatment in a Nigerian court. Others questioned the timing of Gambaryan’s decision to file a lawsuit and whether his colleague’s escape prompted it.
Gambaryan, a US citizen, and Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan citizenship, allegedly arrived in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on February 25. The court granted the EFCC permission to detain the Binance executives for 14 days and ordered Binance to provide the government with access to data and information about Nigerian traders using its platform.
On April 4, Nigeria’s Federal High Court will arraign Binance and the two executives. Meanwhile, the government plans to seek Interpol’s assistance in recapturing Anjarwalla for trial.