Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan Denied Bail on His 40th Birthday by Nigerian Court
Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive who was detained in Nigeria, was denied bail on his 40th birthday during a court hearing in Abuja on Friday.
According to Punch News, a Nigerian media outlet, Judge Emeka Nwite ordered that the Head of Compliance for the crypto exchange remain in prison due to concerns that he may flee if granted bail.
Gambaryan, along with Binance’s Regional Manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, was initially detained in late February and later charged with money laundering and tax evasion. Anjarwalla managed to escape on foot and is currently still at large, despite earlier reports suggesting that he was recaptured in Kenya.
Tigran’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, expressed her disbelief at the situation in a statement published by DL News, saying, “I truly cannot believe that my innocent husband is now, on his 40th birthday, having to face a trial for charges he has nothing to do with. The whole world is watching what he is being put through, and I just pray that common sense and justice will prevail, and that Tigran will be allowed to come home to us.”
In a recent blog post on Binance’s website, CEO Richard Teng addressed the situation publicly for the first time. He alleged that employees were approached by unknown individuals in Nigeria who promised to resolve the issues if the company accepted a secret settlement. However, Teng refused the $150 million bribe offered by a Nigerian government official.
Teng stated that the Binance executives returned to Nigeria for policy talks under the assurance of safe passage, but were detained upon arrival. The Nigerian government has since denied Teng’s claims, stating that they lack substance and are merely an attempt to divert attention from the serious criminal charges that Binance is facing in Nigeria.
Gambaryan’s formal arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, while it remains uncertain if or when Anjarwalla will be extradited to Nigeria if he is captured.
