The Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan,
has reportedly departed Nigeria after several months of lawful detention.
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday, according to Nairametrics.
Details regarding his departure and any potential implications for Binance have not been disclosed.
“Today, American citizen Tigran Gambaryan left Nigeria to return home to his family after 8 months of unlawful detention,” the statement from the family partly read.
It was earlier reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja had discharged Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan from money laundering charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the discharge on health grounds, as confirmed by the EFCC.
The statement added that Tigran was allowed to leave Kuje prison on Wednesday night.
Reacting, his wife, Yuki Gambaryan, said, “It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release, or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family.”
She thanked the U.S. government for its role in securing his release.
“There were moments I feared this day would never come, but Tigran’s supporters gave me hope and strength,” she stated.
She explained that the road ahead for Tigran’s recovery will be difficult.
In a statement on Thursday, the CEO of Binance, Richard Teng, expressed deep relief and gratitude over Tigran Gambaryan’s release after nearly eight months of detention in Nigeria.
Teng said, “Throughout this difficult period, Tigran has shown immense strength, and we commend his resilience in the face of such severe adversity. We are deeply thankful to everyone who dedicated countless hours to support Tigran’s release.”
He stated that Tigran’s health and well-being remain Binance’s top priority, and he will now receive the medical care and rest he urgently needs alongside his family.
The CEO emphasized Binance’s commitment to collaborating with global regulators to ensure compliance and transparency in the evolving digital asset space.
He expressed a desire to move past “the episode” and focus on building a brighter future for the blockchain industry globally.
Teng noted that Nigeria, with its young, tech-savvy population and strong interest in digital finance, is well-positioned to leverage blockchain technology to tackle economic and social challenges.
On February 28, 2024, Nigerian authorities detained two senior Binance executives: Nadeem Anjarwalla, a 37-year-old British-Kenyan serving as the regional manager for Africa, and Tigran Gambaryan, a 39-year-old American who heads financial crime compliance at Binance. Their detention followed ongoing investigations by Nigerian authorities into various financial activities.
The duo was sued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, along with Binance, on charges of tax evasion, foreign exchange violations, and money laundering. Anjarwalla later fled Nigeria while in detention, while Gambaryan remained in custody under a court order.
