The Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria, has once again rescheduled the hearing for the bail application of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who remains detained at the Kuje Correctional Centre. Originally set for April 18, the court has now postponed the hearing to April 22, according to a report by local news agency Nairametrics.
During the court session, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informed the court that Gambaryan's lawyers had submitted an additional affidavit in response to his bail application on April 16. Senior Counsel E. Iheanacho highlighted the new points raised by the defense, requesting more time to provide a proper response in the pursuit of justice.
Presiding Judge Emeka Nwite agreed to the postponement, acknowledging the need for adequate time for both sides to present their arguments. However, Gambaryan's attorney, Mark Modi, expressed concern over his client's prolonged detention by the federal government, which has exceeded 14 days. Modi criticized prosecutors for not responding to an additional affidavit he submitted with the bail application.
The Binance executive was remanded in custody by a trial judge after pleading not guilty to money laundering charges brought by the EFCC. The agency accused Binance, Gambaryan, and Nadeem Anjarwalla of concealing the source of $35.4 million in revenue from Nigeria, alleging it was proceeds from illegal activities.
Amidst these legal battles, Gambaryan has also filed a lawsuit against the government, alleging violations of his basic human rights. His motion contends that his detention in Nigeria and the confiscation of his passport violate the country's constitution, which guarantees an individual's right to personal liberty. The arrests of Gambaryan and Anjarwalla came after the Nigerian government banned cryptocurrency channels as part of efforts to curb currency speculation. However, Anjarwalla managed to escape custody using a fake passport, adding further complexity to the ongoing legal saga involving Binance and its executives.
