Binance executive pursues justice after being detained in Nigeria, requests an apology

Binance’s head of financial crime compliance has taken legal action against the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria, demanding an apology for his detention in the country. Tigran Gambaryan argues that his detention upon arrival in February and the confiscation of his passport violated his fundamental rights as guaranteed by the country’s constitution. He claims that the government is using his ongoing detention as a means to pressure Binance. Gambaryan’s lawsuit also seeks the immediate return of his passport and a public apology. Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa, who was detained alongside Gambaryan, has also filed a similar complaint. Anjarwalla recently escaped Nigerian detention. The case has been adjourned to April 8 to allow ONSA and EFCC to respond. Nigeria’s Federal High Court will arraign Binance and the two executives on April 4, and the government plans to seek Interpol’s assistance in capturing Anjarwalla for trial.