Binance head of financial crime compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, takes legal action against the Nigerian government for alleged violations of his fundamental human rights.
Demand for Apology and Passport Return
Gambaryan’s lawsuit calls for an apology from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), along with the immediate return of his confiscated passport.
Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, has initiated legal proceedings against the Nigerian government, alleging violations of his fundamental human rights. Gambaryan’s lawyer has filed a motion requesting the Federal High Court in Nigeria to compel the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to issue a public apology regarding his detention in the country.
The motion argues that Gambaryan’s detention upon his arrival in Nigeria in February, as well as the seizure of his passport, contravene the country’s constitution, which guarantees an individual’s right to personal liberty.
Gambaryan’s legal motion asserts that the Nigerian government is leveraging his ongoing detention as leverage to pressure Binance. It contends that Nigerian authorities could communicate with Binance through alternative channels instead of detaining Gambaryan, who was merely attending a meeting. Additionally, the motion calls for the immediate return of Gambaryan’s passport and the issuance of a public apology.
During the court proceedings, Gambaryan’s attorney informed Justice Inyang Ekwo that the application had been served to the respondents, allowing them time to respond. The lawyer requested an adjournment for the ONSA and EFCC to provide their responses, which the judge granted, rescheduling the case to April 8.
Speculation Amid Legal Proceedings
Speculation arises within Nigeria’s crypto community regarding the motives behind Gambaryan’s legal action and the potential outcomes of the case. Some express skepticism about the efficacy of seeking legal redress in a Nigerian court, while others question the timing of the lawsuit and speculate whether a colleague’s escape prompted the legal action.
Gambaryan, a United States citizen, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, who holds both British and Kenyan citizenship, reportedly arrived in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on February 25. Following their detention, 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 on Nigerian traders using its platform.
The Federal High Court is scheduled to arraign Binance and the two executives on April 4, while the government plans to seek Interpol’s assistance in recapturing Anjarwalla for trial.
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