Binance has stated that Tigran Gambaryan, its Head of Compliance, who is currently held in Nigeria’s law enforcement custody, should not be held responsible for anything as the legal drama and talks with the nation’s government officials continue.
In a statement released on Wednesday, April 3, the exchange claimed that Gambaryan is in no position to address the allegations against him because he does not have “decision-making power in the company.”
The Binance team explained that Gambaryan is a law-abiding American citizen and law enforcement professional who has helped track and apprehend cybercriminals in countries all over the world, including Nigeria, over the course of his career. They claimed he was working with the exchange to help it solve its previous compliance issues and create systems to help it adjust to the global regulatory environment.
Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla upon their arrival in the country in February 2024, following an official invitation by the nation’s federal government. However, the situation has escalated, with Binance and the two executives now facing four charges, including tax evasion, filed by the government in a local court.
According to a local media report, Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, claims that the crypto exchange facilitated anonymous transactions worth billions of naira, which grossly influenced the instability of the nation’s currency, the naira.
Notably, both Anjarwalla and Gambaryan have filed lawsuits in the Federal High Court in the nation’s capital, Abuja, alleging that the federal authorities violated their human rights. As per the distinct filings, both Binance executives are seeking their passports back, Gambaryan’s release, and a public apology from the government.
Anjarwalla, who made headlines following his escape from the authorities’ custody in late March, reportedly argued in his suit that the only reason the government was detaining both of them was to request information from Binance exchange and make huge demands from the firm. He complained in his lawsuits that the government did not inform him of any offence he had committed personally in Nigeria.
According to another local news media outlet, Channels TV, the court is scheduled to begin proceedings on the two officials on Thursday, April 4.
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