Arrest: Binance Executives Sue ONSA, EFCC

Detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has initiated a legal action against key Nigerian authorities. Gambaryan, represented by legal counsel from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja for the enforcement of his rights.

Also, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance Africa regional manager, who escaped from lawful custody on March 22, filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Iyang Ekwo of the same Federal High Court in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, respectively, had sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents.

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The lawsuits target the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging violations of fundamental rights. Gambaryan’s application contends that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport infringed on constitutional provisions safeguarding personal liberty.

Among the reliefs sought are his immediate release from custody, the return of his passport, an injunction against further detention regarding any Binance-related investigations, and a public apology from the respondents.

In a statement in support of the suit, he said he is an American citizen who visited Nigeria on February 26, 2024, alongside his fugitive colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, as a representative of Binance, to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria.

Giving an 11-ground argument why his application should be granted, he said he and his colleague, Anjarwalla, dutifully attended the meeting.

He said after the meeting, the two of them were detained by the respondents and had remained in detention since then.

He said he did not commit any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time.

The legal proceedings took a turn during a recent court appearance when Gambaryan’s legal representation withdrew, leading to an adjournment until April 8 to allow for new representation and for the respondents to prepare their response.

The judge adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention. Also, upon resumed hearing in Gambaryan’s suit, Krukrubo said though the processes had been served on ONSA and EFCC, they were still within time to respond.

He, therefore, sought an adjourned date, saying the respondent’s time to file their applications would expire next week Thursday.

Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until April 8, 2024 for further mention.