The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pressed ahead with its money laundering case against Binance and its executive, Tigran Gambaryan, on Thursday, June 20, prompting a response from his wife, Yuki Gambaryan.
According to local media, the EFCC’s lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, appeared during the proceedings, allowing the cross-examination of the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission Director, Abdulkadir Abbas, to proceed.
This development comes just days after a court cleared Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla — who had fled Nigeria — of tax evasion charges related to Binance in a case brought by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Friday, June 14.
The court decided in a short ruling following new amended charges filed by the FIRS due to a notice from Binance about its appointment of a Nigerian representative, Ayodele Omotilewa.
Family reaction
In a statement to the press, Gambaryan’s wife expressed her confusion about why the EFCC cannot follow FIRS and release her husband. She also urged the United States government to expedite his release. She said:
“It is time for the Nigerian authorities to do the right thing and let my innocent husband go. Tigrans and my own tax dollars get sent to Nigeria in aid every year. Nigeria is supposed to be an ally. I refuse to believe that our State Department cannot do more to have an innocent American citizen released.”
Lawmakers advocate for Gambaryan’s release
Two members of the U.S. Congress, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan and French Hill, met Gambaryan in Kuje Prison in Nigeria on Thursday, June 20. According to Hill, Gambaryan has suffered from malaria and double pneumonia and has lost a lot of weight due to neglect in the provision of medical attention.
Houlahan and Hill have called for Gambaryan’s immediate humanitarian release, given the poor prison conditions and his health state.
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The lawmakers’ visit came after 18 U.S. Congress members wrote a joint letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging them to intervene to end Gambaryan’s detention.
Background of the case
Binance regional manager Anjarwalla and head of financial crime compliance Gambaryan were detained in Nigeria on Feb. 26. Gambaryan had traveled to the country from the U.S. to participate in the company’s defense against tax evasion and money laundering charges.
Binance and its executives faced two separate cases by the FIRS and EFCC. The former centered on tax evasion, while the latter involved money laundering and foreign exchange contravention.
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