Binance executives apprehended in Nigerian capital despite their withdrawal from the country

In spite of Binance’s recent announcement of its departure from Nigeria, reports claim that two senior executives from the company are still being detained in Abuja, the country’s capital. Tigran Gambaryan, a former United States federal agent specializing in cryptocurrencies, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance executive based in Kenya, have reportedly been held without passports at a government property since February 26, 2024. The families of Gambaryan and Anjarwalla have stated that Nigerian prosecutors have not provided any information regarding potential criminal charges against the two executives. Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, expressed her frustration with the lack of answers about her husband’s situation. Binance confirmed that both Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were still detained as of March 12, emphasizing their professionalism and integrity and expressing confidence in a swift resolution to the matter. The arrests of the executives occurred shortly before Binance officially announced its complete exit from Nigeria. Gambaryan and Anjarwalla had traveled to Abuja in response to an invitation from the Nigerian government to address the ongoing dispute between Binance and the country’s authorities over alleged unlawful operations. However, instead of resolving the issue, the two executives were taken to their hotels after their initial meeting and then transferred to a guesthouse controlled by Nigeria’s National Security Agency against their will. Their passports were confiscated, and they have been held in the house ever since. Gambaryan has reportedly been visited by a U.S. State Department official, while Anjarwalla has met with a representative from the U.K. Foreign Office. However, Nigerian government guards have been present during these visits, preventing private conversations.