The Nigerian government has refuted claims suggesting that Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan is being detained in poor prison conditions or that his health is worsening. Following a plea from two United States congressmen for the Nigerian embassy to intervene in Gambaryan’s case due to his failing health, the Nigerian government issued a statement providing further details. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the claims made by US lawmakers in a statement. He confidently waved off the accusations, emphasising that they should not be given any credibility.
Idris firmly stated that Gambaryan, who was on trial for Tax Evasion and money laundering, was held in legal custody and provided top-notch medical treatment whenever needed. The minister assured that citizens of the United States could utilise all consular services provided by their government abroad. The federal government will protect the accused’s fundamental rights during his trial in accordance with Nigerian laws, ensuring access to quality care and healthcare throughout the legal process. He remains detained at the court’s order, and only the court can modify the conditions or authorise his release.
Government refutes poor prison conditions for the executive.
He promised that the government would uphold the legal process in its efforts to hold Binance accountable, emphasising that the trial was a valid national endeavour that has also been pursued by many other countries around the globe. The country’s commitment to following legal and diplomatic norms highlights its focus on ensuring justice and preserving the integrity of its legal system. The executive receives fair treatment, and his legal and Human Rights are protected throughout the judicial process. Since February, Gambaryan, the American citizen and Binance’s head of Financial Crimes compliance, has been detained on Money Laundering allegations.
Nonetheless, a report suggested that the Tax evasion charges against him and a fellow official who departed the country in March have been dismissed in the past week. During a recent visit to the West African country, Republican US Representative French Hill and a Democrat, Chrissy Houlahan, met with Gambaryan at Abuja’s Kuje prison. Hill explained in a video posted on Social Media X that the embassy had been contacted to support Tigran’s release on humanitarian grounds due to the prison’s terrible conditions, his innocence, and deteriorating health in collaboration with Houlahan.
They also advocate for American citizens who are unjustly held in Nigeria.
During the prison visit, Houlahan observed Gambaryan in harsh living conditions, displaying signs of severe stress and poor health. Binance had stated earlier that Gambaryan was suffering from Malaria and pneumonia. He maintained his innocence and made a court appearance for the money laundering trial, which has been rescheduled for July 1. During the National Security visit, Hill and Houlahan took advantage of the opportunity to speak out on behalf of an American citizen who was unjustly held by the Nigerian authorities.
Democrat Houlahan from Pennsylvania expressed confidence in the United States’ ability to utilise all available resources to bring Tigran Gambaryan back safely. After Gambaryan was charged on the grounds of illegal activities, currency manipulation, as well as money laundering in February, he was therefore later transferred to the prison facility in Abuja in April. However, democrat Houlahan’s assurance in rallying national efforts highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of American citizens abroad.
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According to Bloomberg, Representative Hill was among 16 Republican legislators who penned a letter to President Joe Biden on June 4 claiming that Tigran Gambaryan was being wrongfully detained. The firm’s legal troubles continued with a recent case in Nigeria. On April 30, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao was sentenced to four months in a US prison. He was accused of allowing cybercriminals and terrorist organisations to conduct trading activities on the platform without restrictions. These legal challenges highlight the ongoing issues facing Binance and its key figures.