U.S. Lawmakers Want the Release of Binance Exec Detained in Nigeria

United States lawmakers have urged President Joe Biden to facilitate the return of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who has been detained in Nigeria for over three months on allegations of money laundering and tax evasion. 

Lawmakers Seeks Release of Binance Executive 

In a letter addressed to President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Roger D. Carstens, the group of lawmakers emphasized the need for urgent intervention, highlighting that Gambaryan is being held unjustly by the Nigerian government. 

According to the lawmakers, Gambaryan is being subjected to harsh conditions, including being held in Kuje Prison, where he has contracted malaria and been denied adequate medical care. They added that he is not allowed to meet with his lawyers privately, as there are officials and armed guards always present.

The lawmakers asserted the allegations against him are baseless and represent a coercive tactic to pressure Binance. They argued that these actions were part of the Nigerian government’s tactics to extort Binance.

“Mr Gambaryan’s detainment has been marked by excessive and harsh treatment…It is crucial to emphasize that the charges against Mr Gambaryan are baseless and constitute a coercion tactic by the Nigerian government to extort his employer, Binance. We fear for his life. Immediate action is essential to ensure his safety and preserve his life. We must act swiftly before it is too late,” they said.

Nigeria Authorities Detains Binance Executives

Gambaryan’s woes date back to February when he and Nadeem Anjarwalla, another Binance executive and a British-Kenyan dual citizen, were detained in Nigeria after their meeting with the government to discuss the crypto exchange alleged role in crippling the country’s national currency (naira).

The Nigerian government accused Binance and its executives, Tygran Gambaryan and the fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla, of allegedly facilitating the trade of $26 billion in untraceable funds for Nigerian traders. Their passports were confiscated with no known means of communication with their families.

Furthermore, they imposed a $10 billion fine on the exchange, ordering it to reveal information on all its citizens using the platform and their transaction history of the last six months. Last month, Binance CEO, Richard Teng, shared insights on their regulatory woes in Nigeria while urging for the release of both executives.