Bitrabo Editorial
Tigran Gambaryan, a high-ranking executive at Binance, has been formally exonerated by the Nigerian authorities after being detained since February.
During a court session on October 23, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asked for the case to be dismissed in the Federal High Court in Abuja.
This decision came to light in the hearing. Gambaryan, who serves as the head of financial crime compliance at Binance and holds US citizenship, faced allegations of money laundering and manipulating currency, which have now been cleared.
BREAKING: Nigerian Government Drops All Money Laundering Charges Against Binance Executive Gambaryan | Sahara Reporters pic.twitter.com/5oJ0YfImpP
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) October 23, 2024
Gambaryan’s Challenging Journey
Gambaryan’s legal troubles began when he arrived in Nigeria to converse with local officials. He and his associate Nadeem Anjarwalla were scrutinized for supposedly impacting the naira’s stability. Gambaryan faced tough conditions for eight months, while Anjarwalla managed to avoid legal issues this year.
Ultimately, his release was sought based on diplomatic and humanitarian grounds due to reports of multiple health issues, including malaria and complications from a herniated disc.
Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, supported the EFCC’s request, leading Justice Emeka Nwite to dismiss the case.
Mordi emphasized that Gambaryan was simply an employee of Binance and had no involvement in the firm’s broader financial strategies.
This ruling marks a pivotal moment for Gambaryan and Binance, which has come under increased regulatory scrutiny worldwide.
Health Concerns Prompt Release
Gambaryan’s deteriorating health played a key role in the decision to halt the legal proceedings. Dele Oyewale, a spokesperson for the Nigerian government, noted that Gambaryan’s condition was declining to the extent that he required urgent medical care outside Nigeria.
This humanitarian aspect influenced the judge’s decision to dismiss the case. Many are now speculating on the implications of Gambaryan’s exit from Nigeria for Binance’s operations across Africa.
Regulatory Ripple Effects for Binance and Cryptocurrency
This case highlighted the ongoing conflict between regulators worldwide and cryptocurrency platforms like Binance. The Nigerian authorities accused Binance of allowing users to transfer funds out of the naira, contributing to economic instability and facilitating money hiding.
These claims arose shortly after Binance settled a $4.3 billion case with US regulators over similar issues.
The incident raises critical questions about the future of cryptocurrency regulation, particularly as Nigeria grapples with its most severe economic challenges in decades.
The crypto community has expressed relief over Gambaryan’s release, yet concerns linger regarding potential fallout for exchanges operating in complex regulatory landscapes.
Image credit: Darren Joseph/DL News, data provided by TradingView