The family of detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan have expressed concerns about his state, as today marks 200 days that he has been detained by the Nigerian authorities. In a statement released by his wife, Yuki to mark this grim milestone, she described his prolonged detention as “both disgraceful and urgent”:
“Two hundred days ago, my husband, an innocent American citizen, travelled to Nigeria for a meeting he was invited to by the Nigerian government. Since then, he has been unlawfully detained under increasingly inhumane and degrading conditions“, Yuki wrote.
She also called for an immediate release of her husband: “I beg President Tinubu to do the right thing and order Tigran’s immediate and unconditional release“, the statement concluded.
Tigran, a U.S. citizen and head of financial crimes compliance at Binance has been in detention since February after he was made to hand over his passport to Nigerian authorities. Nigeria blamed Binance for its currency woes after cryptocurrency websites became the platforms of choice for trading the naira as the country struggled with chronic dollar shortages and its currency fell to a record low.
He, alongside British-Kenyan national Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa, was charged with laundering more than $35 million and engaging in specialised financial activities without a licence.
According to his family, his health deteriorated so much while in detention that he is unable to walk because of pain from an untreated herniated disc/spinal injury. Tigran was allegedly told by doctors that his muscles have atrophied and he has to take blood thinners to avoid blood clots as a result of being bedridden.
The family also alleged that the prison has refused to provide him with a wheelchair although he has been seen in court sitting in a wheelchair. According to a post quoting a recent video, Tigran Gambaryan was seen struggling to walk in crutches and screaming “This is fucked up” and “I’m an innocent person” while in visible distress.
The video has drawn an outcry by many online. For example, the CEO of Binance, Richard Teng in a tweet on X condemned how the Nigerian authorities have treated him: “This inhumane treatment of Tigran must end. He must be allowed to go home for medical treatment and to be with his family.”
Tigran Gambaryan’s case has been adjourned till October 9
A Federal High Court in Abuja dropped charges against two executives of the crypto exchange, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla from the FIRS tax evasion case against the company.
The court ruled following an amended charges application filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in response to a notice from Binance that it has appointed a Nigerian representative in the case, Ayodele Omotilewa.
Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja, last week, deferred the decision on the bail application by Tigran Gambaryan. During the proceeding, Tigran’s lawyer, Mark Mordi requested full bail or a six-week bail for urgent medical care.
He argued that Tigran requires intervention from an orthopaedic surgeon and a psychiatrist, citing a July 18 medical report from the State House Annex clinic, in which a neurosurgeon recommended that the Binance executive undergo lumbar surgery as soon as possible.
He also argued that Gambaryan’s condition had exceeded the scope of what the Nigerian Correctional Service could handle and claimed that the Correctional Service and the prosecution had shown gross negligence. “We are treating him like he is a container of goods. It is of no use to anybody, neither them nor us if he dies.” Mordi submitted.
In response, the EFCC lawyer Emeka Iheanacho argued that Tigran’s condition was not beyond the capacity of the Correctional Service. He pointed out that Gambaryan’s struggles with anxiety and with his spine were historical medical conditions. He also told the court that Gambaryan had been taken to two neurosurgeons for his herniated disk condition. He could not be treated because of his alleged resistance.
After a hearing, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned until October 9 to rule the bail application on medical grounds. This means that Tigran Gambaryan will be spending more time at the Kuje Prison.
His family claims that Tigran has missed major family events while in detention. These include his son’s 5th birthday, his first day at school, his 40th birthday, his wife’s birthday as well as their 15th wedding anniversary.
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