The Federal Government, on Wednesday, withdrew the money laundering charge filed against the detained Binance Holdings Limited’s executive, Tigran Gambaryan, due to his ill health and diplomatic intervention.
Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa; were detained by the Nigerian authorities on February 28.
Although Anjarwalla escaped from the custody of the office of the national security adviser (ONSA), both executives, alongside Binance, were charged by the federal government for tax evasion and money laundering.
Gambaryan was the Second Defendant in the charge preferred against the cryptocurrency platform (First defendant) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC’s counsel, R. U. Adagba, told Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court, Abuja, of the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw the charge against the detained employee because of his deteriorating health.
She, however, informed the court that the anti-graft agency would continue the charge levelled against the company, Binance Holdings Limited.
After listening to Adagba and the defence counsel, Justice Nwite discharged Gambaryan from the charge and adjourned the trial against the cryptocurrency firm until Nov. 22 and Nov. 25 for continuation of trial.
On March 25, FIRS filed a criminal charge against Binance for “tax evasion”.
According to the service, the move was to uphold fiscal responsibility and safeguard the economic integrity of the country.
The lawsuit, designated as suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, was said to “implicate Binance with a four-count tax evasion accusation”.
On May 17, the FIRS filed an amended four-count charge against Binance Holdings Limited and its executive, Gambaryan, on alleged tax evasion.
The matter drew the attention of lawmakers in the United States who accused the Nigerian government of taking Gambaryan, “hostage.”
