Tigran Gambaryan, a senior executive at Binance, has taken legal action against Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), claiming he was unlawfully detained. A Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled March 20, 2025, to hear his compensation case. The issue dates back to early 2024, when the Nigerian government launched a crackdown on cryptocurrency platforms, accusing them of influencing foreign exchange rates.
In February, Gambaryan and fellow Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla travelled to Nigeria for a meeting with officials but were detained shortly after. While Anjarwalla later managed to escape, Gambaryan remained in custody. His legal team argues that he was merely an employee without decision-making power and that his detention was politically motivated. Nigerian authorities, however, have charged Binance and its executives with tax evasion, money laundering, and forex violations.
Over time, Gambaryan’s health reportedly deteriorated. In October 2024, a judge dismissed the money laundering charges against him, acknowledging his worsening condition. The EFCC also admitted that he was struggling to walk unaided. Despite this, other charges against Binance remain unresolved.
In his lawsuit, Gambaryan insists that his prolonged detention was illegal, claiming he was held both before and after a court order had expired. He is demanding compensation for the hardship faced by him and his family. The Nigerian authorities have denied any wrongdoing, stating that their actions were lawful. The court has granted them additional time to submit further evidence before the next hearing in March.
