US lawmakers, French Hill and Chrissy Houlahan, paid a visit to Kuje Prison in Nigeria to see detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan. Hill expressed concern over Gambaryan’s health conditions in the “horrible prison” and criticized the lack of adequate medical care provided to him. Despite suffering from malaria, double pneumonia, and significant weight loss, Gambaryan’s health needs are being neglected. Hill called for Gambaryan’s immediate release, pointing out the irony of his situation as he is facing charges that he actively fought against, such as money laundering and tax evasion. Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, urged the US government to intensify efforts to bring her husband back home, emphasizing that more could be done by the State Department to secure the release of an innocent American citizen. Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria has resumed its money laundering case against Binance and Gambaryan. Witnesses, including Abdulkabir Abbas from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), have been cross-examined during the proceedings. It is worth noting that Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were recently cleared of tax evasion charges. The Nigerian government has been cracking down on cryptocurrency platforms, accusing them of influencing foreign exchange rates. The EFCC is separately prosecuting Binance and its executives over alleged money laundering and foreign exchange contravention.
