A recent development in Nigeria’s High Court has seen the money laundering trial against Binance and its executive Tigran Gambaryan being adjourned to June 20. The reason behind this adjournment was cited as the executive’s health concerns, as reported by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on May 23. The defense counsel, led by Mark Mordi, informed the court about the client’s ill health and his inability to stand trial. According to local media reports, Gambaryan had even slumped during the trial and required assistance from his legal team. Subsequently, the lawyer urged the court to postpone the trial to a later date to allow the client to recuperate appropriately.
Tigran Gambaryan, a US citizen heading the crypto exchange’s financial crime compliance department, was apprehended alongside Binance’s regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, upon their arrival in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja on Feb. 26. While Anjarwalla managed to escape custody on March 22, Gambaryan has remained detained. This detention has sparked a strong reaction from the international community, with calls for his release. However, the Nigerian High Court denied his bail application due to concerns about flight risk.
The ongoing prosecution of Binance and its executives in Nigeria has raised concerns among crypto stakeholders regarding the country’s reputational standing within the web3 ecosystem. Despite this, data indicates that crypto adoption in Nigeria continues to be strong, with at least six crypto-related applications among the top 10 most downloaded applications on the Apple App Store. Patrick Hansen, the EU Director of Strategy for Circle, noted that Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing economies globally and projected to be the third most populous country by 2050.
The adjournment of the money laundering trial against Binance and Tigran Gambaryan due to health concerns highlights the complexities of such legal proceedings. The international reaction to Gambaryan’s detention and the impact on Nigeria’s reputation in the crypto space underscore the broader implications of this case. As the trial continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will shape Nigeria’s position in the global cryptocurrency landscape.
Leave a Reply