Detained Binance executive regains freedom
The detained executive of Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambayran, has been released after spending ten months in the correctional service center in Kuje.
Although Gambayran was initially arrested with Nadeem Anjawarwalla in February 2024, Anjawarwalla escaped custody and fled the country. Anjawarwalla, the Binance Regional Manager for Africa, left Gambayran to face the wrath of the Nigerian Government.
The Federal Government of Nigeria accused Binance of manipulating the country’s currency; naira. Gambayran, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges. Despite Gambayran’s ill health, Justice Emeka Nwite of Federal High Court, Abuja refused to grant him bail. Gambayran’s health worsened, there’s no doubt that the prison stress contributed to this. In one of the court proceedings, Gambayran appeared on a wheel chair. Despite his use of a wheel chair, he couldn’t make it to the last adjournment.
During court proceedings on Wednesday, Justice Nwite ordered Gambayran’s immediate release. The Economic Financial Crime Commission’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, explained the extent of Gambayran’s ill health which has deteriorated to the point where he can no longer walk without a wheel chair. He also mentioned that Gambayran is due for a surgery with a long recovery process.
He added that Gambayran is just an employee of Binance. Therefore, he shouldn’t be at the receiving end of such treatment. He referred to an international diplomatic meeting between Nigeria and the US government, which led to Gambayran’s release.
In response and in agreement with Iheanacho, Mark Mordi (SAN); Gambayran’s lawyer requested that the court order an acquittal instead of a discharge. Justice Nwite granted the request without hesitation and canceled all the charges against Gambayran.
In his words, “The application of the prosecution counsel is granted as prayed, having received the circumstances of the charge. The second defendant is hereby discharged.”
After an arduous ten months, Tigran Gambayran is now a free man.
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