The United States government has thanked Nigeria for the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, following a court order from the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The acknowledgment came in a statement from Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, highlighting the cooperative relationship between the two countries.
Gambaryan’s release followed an application from Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC noted that Tigran Gambaryan’s deteriorating health was a key factor in seeking his release from a money laundering case linked to Binance.
Additionally, the EFCC referenced diplomatic discussions between the Nigerian government and the U.S. as a basis for their decision to discharge him.
Blinken stated that the United States “thanks the Government of Nigeria for releasing U.S. citizen Tigran Gambaryan on medical grounds, allowing him to return to the United States to receive the specialized medical care he requires.”
“This positive outcome demonstrates the strength of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and highlights our shared commitment to working together to advance our common interests,” he added.
Blinken highlighted that robust law enforcement cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria is essential to their bilateral relationship.
He reaffirmed the United States’ dedication to working with Nigeria to tackle shared concerns and prioritize the safety and well-being of citizens in both nations.
Responding to the development, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, earlier 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 efforts in facilitating his release.
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.
The Binance executives filed a fundamental rights case against Nigerian government agencies, claiming a violation of their constitutional right to liberty.
The EFCC and the Federal Inland Revenue Service sued the duo, along with Binance, on charges of tax evasion, foreign exchange violations, and money laundering.
Anjarwalla escaped Nigeria while in detention, while Gambaryan stayed in custody under a court order.
The court denied Gambaryan’s bail applications twice, agreeing with the EFCC’s assessment that he posed a flight risk.
