BusinessNewsNigeriaBinance Executive Locked Up in Abuja, Sues Nigerian Government for Rights Violations

A legal battle is brewing between cryptocurrency giant Binance and the Nigerian government. Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive with Binance, has filed a lawsuit against Nigerian authorities for alleged violation of his fundamental rights.

Gambaryan, who heads financial crime compliance for Binance, was arrested in late February alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, the company’s regional manager for Africa.

The duo reportedly travelled to Nigeria in good faith, intending to meet with officials from the National Security Adviser’s office and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to discuss Binance’s operations in the country.

However, they were subsequently locked up and had their passports seized. Pilot News reported the daring escape of Anjarwalla earlier this week.

Gambaryan’s lawsuit, filed on 18th March, accuses the Nigerian authorities of wrongful detention and a violation of his right to freedom of movement.

He claims he and Anjarwalla cooperated fully during their meeting with officials but were then detained without clear explanation or charges.

Gambaryan seeks his immediate release, the return of his passport, and a public apology from the Nigerian government.

This legal action comes amid rising tensions between Binance and Nigeria. On Monday, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, accused Binance of tax evasion and levied a four-count criminal charge against the company. The lawsuit also comes just days before the scheduled arraignment of Binance executives on 4th April.

While Binance has not yet commented on Gambaryan’s lawsuit as of the time of this report, the company has previously expressed its willingness to collaborate with Nigerian authorities to address any concerns.