Binance exec seeks correction in Nigerian prison, apologizes

Binance's head of financial crime compliance has asked the Federal High Court in Nigeria to order the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) to apologize for his arrest in the country.

According to local reports, Tigran Gambia is accusing the government of violating its basic human rights. He said Gambarian's arrest and confiscation of his passport shortly after his request came to Nigeria in February violates the country's constitution, which guarantees the right of individuals to personal freedom.

In the lawsuit, Gambarian alleged that the federal government is using his ongoing detention as a “way to pressure and make demands on Binance.”

The inquiry emphasized that Nigeria could engage with Binance through other channels instead of tying down Gambia, which only participated in the meeting.

Binance's head of financial crimes has reportedly asked the court for the immediate return of his passport and a public apology.

Nadim Anjarwala, the regional manager of Binance Africa, who is in prison with Gambian, also made a similar complaint. It was recently reported that Anjarwala had escaped from a Nigerian prison.

During the court session, the Gambian counsel informed Judge Inyang Eko that their application had been served on the respondents and they still had time to respond.

The lawyer asked for the adjournment of the hearing to allow the NSA and EFCC to respond. The judge accepted the request and adjourned the case to April 8.

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Various theories have been raised to understand the situation among Nigerian crypto enthusiasts. Chineduokoli_, a zealot, expressed concern about the possibility of getting proper redress in a Nigerian court.

Another individual, ObiUcheUzoije, questioned the delay in the Binance executive's decision to file charges against the agencies and speculated that his colleague's escape prompted him.

Gambarian, a citizen of the United States, and Anjarwala, a citizen of England and Kenya, reportedly landed in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on February 25.

The court allowed the EFCC to detain Binance executives for 14 days and ordered Binance to provide government data and details of Nigerian traders using the platform.

Nigeria's Federal High Court will indict Binance and its two executives on April 4. Meanwhile, the government plans to seek Interpol's help to try Tinjarwala.

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