A federal high court in Nigeria recently dismissed a human rights lawsuit filed by Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla against the country’s National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The case was thrown out on June 19 by Justice Inyang Ekwo due to Anjarwalla’s lack of legal representation. This decision did not come as a surprise, as Anjarwalla had fled from Nigerian authorities in March, and his lawyer had subsequently withdrawn from the case.
Anjarwalla, a dual British and Kenyan citizen, was among the Binance executives detained by the Nigerian government in February over regulatory concerns related to the exchange’s operations. Despite escaping custody in March using a Kenyan passport, his whereabouts remain unknown. On the other hand, Tigran Gambaryan, another Binance executive, is currently held at Kuje Prison and is involved in multiple legal disputes with the authorities. He has a pending human rights enforcement application case against the Nigerian government, scheduled to be heard on July 9. Furthermore, he is facing money laundering charges and has pleaded not guilty, but his bail plea was denied due to concerns about him absconding.
There have been speculations that the US government may intervene in Gambaryan’s continued detention in Nigeria. FBI Director Christopher Wray recently met with Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, sparking rumors of a diplomatic intervention. However, Binance has maintained that Gambaryan is not a key decision-maker at the company and asserted that his detention is unnecessary while they work towards resolving issues with the Nigerian government.
It is interesting to note that Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dropped charges against Gambaryan, opting to concentrate on the exchange itself. This shift in focus raises questions about the handling of the case and the motivations behind the authorities’ actions. While the legal battles continue to unfold, the fate of the Binance executives in Nigeria remains uncertain.
The legal challenges faced by Binance executives in Nigeria highlight the complex regulatory environment surrounding cryptocurrency exchanges in the country. The dismissal of Anjarwalla’s lawsuit, the ongoing legal battles involving Gambaryan, and the potential for international intervention underscore the severity of the situation. As the case progresses, it will be essential to closely monitor developments and assess the implications for the individuals involved and the broader cryptocurrency industry.