Binance's head of financial crime compliance, Tigran Gambayan, has taken legal action in Nigeria's Federal High Court, seeking an apology from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his detention in the country. Reports indicate that Gambayan is suing the government for violating his fundamental human rights, alleging that his detention and confiscation of passport upon his arrival in Nigeria in February violated the country's constitution, which guarantees individual liberty.
In his lawsuit, Gambayan contends that his continued detention is being used by the federal government as leverage to assert pressure and demands on Binance, the cryptocurrency exchange he represents. He argues that Nigeria could engage with Binance through alternative channels rather than resorting to his detention, particularly since he was only attending a meeting at the time of his detainment. Gambayan is seeking the immediate return of his passport and a public apology from the authorities.
Similarly, Binance's regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who was also detained alongside Gambayan, has raised similar grievances. Anjarwalla reportedly managed to escape custody in Nigeria recently. During the court proceedings, Gambayan's legal representatives informed Judge Inyang Ekwo that their application had been served to the defendants, who are yet to respond. The lawyers requested an adjournment to allow ONSA and EFCC time to reply, which the judge granted, setting the case for April 8.
Nigerian cryptocurrency enthusiasts have been closely following the situation, expressing concerns and speculating on the outcome. Some, like Chineduokoli, are worried about the prospects of receiving adequate redress through the Nigerian judicial system. Others, such as Obinna Uchechukwu Uzoije, question the delay in Binance executives filing lawsuits against the institutions involved and speculate on the impact of their colleagues' escape.
Gambayan, an American citizen, and Anjarwalla, holding British and Kenyan citizenship, reportedly arrived in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, on February 25. Following their detention, the court granted EFCC permission to detain Binance executives for 14 days and ordered Binance to allow the government access to data and details of Nigerian traders using its platform. Binance and two executives are set to be arraigned in Nigeria's Federal High Court on April 4, while the government plans to seek assistance from Interpol to recapture Anjarwalla for trial.
