In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has dropped tax evasion charges against Tigran Gambaryan, a 39-year-old American, and his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, clearing the way for Gambaryan’s release from detention.
The charges were filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on March 22, 2024, but the court’s decision follows an amended set of charges that removed the allegations against Gambaryan and his colleague. Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has welcomed the news, stating that it demonstrates that Gambaryan is not a decision-maker at the company and does not need to be held to resolve issues with the Nigerian government.
Gambaryan has spent 110 days in detention, during which time he was diagnosed with malaria and pneumonia. Binance is now calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take similar steps to allow Gambaryan to return home to his family.
The company praised the FIRS for its professionalism throughout the process, saying it highlights Binance’s commitment to resolving the issue with the government transparently and cooperatively.
The case will proceed to a hearing on June 19th, where an application for an order for the enforcement of fundamental rights will be heard. The EFCC trial is scheduled for June 20th.
Sixteen US Members of Congress have written to President Biden urging him to do more to secure Gambaryan’s release, describing him as a “US citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government.”
