Binance executive pursues remedies after being detained in Nigeria, calls for an apology

Binance’s executive responsible for financial crime compliance has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian government, demanding an apology and the return of his passport. Tigran Gambaryan claims that his detention upon arrival in Nigeria and the confiscation of his passport violate his fundamental human rights as guaranteed by the country’s constitution. He alleges that the government is using his detention as a means to pressure Binance. Gambaryan’s lawyer has served the application to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who have yet to respond. The court has granted an adjournment, postponing the case to April 8. Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa, who was also detained, has lodged a similar complaint and recently escaped Nigerian detention. The Nigerian court plans to arraign Binance and the two executives on April 4, and the government intends to seek Interpol’s assistance in recapturing Anjarwalla for trial.