Nigerian Court Dismisses Binance Exec’s Human Rights Lawsuit

Binance Crypto Regulation Nigeria

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Julia Smith

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Julia Smith

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Julia is an experienced editor with a passion for covering a wide variety of beats. She loves all things politics and regularly covers regulatory updates on emerging technology here for Crypto News.

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June 20, 2024 15:11 EDT

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A Nigerian court dismissed on June 19 a wrongful detention lawsuit brought forward by fugitive Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla after the country dropped tax charges against him and still detained the Binance compliance chief.

According to a June 20 report from Nigeria’s Punch News, Judge Inyang Ekwo rejected Anjarwalla’s litigation grounds of lacking “diligent prosecution.”

Binance Executive Nadeem Anjarwalla’s Lawsuit Thrown Out By Judge

Anjarwalla reportedly had no legal representative available on his behalf during the hearing.

The Binance regional manager and Gambaryan found themselves in hot water with Nigerian officials when they were detained in late February of this year for allegedly breaking the country’s anti-money laundering laws, though legitimacy concerns have swirled over the claims.

Anjarwalla was able to escape in March and has managed to evade authorities since, despite the government of Nigeria’s collaboration with INTERPOL to secure his recapture.

Tigran Gambaryan In Worsening Health, Remains Imprisoned

On June 14, Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) formally dismissed the tax charges against the crypto executives, though charges brought forth by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have yet to be dropped.

Gambaryan, however, is still in custody despite reports of declining health and petitions from family and friends to release the imprisoned crypto exchange employee as conditions within the detention facility appear dire.

Some charges against Binance exec and former IRS crypto crime investigator Tigran Gambaryan were dropped today in Nigeria. He's still in jail, still sick, still facing charges from another agency, Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Press release from his family: pic.twitter.com/eY2TLyFmfL

— Andy Greenberg (@agreenberg at the other places) (@a_greenberg) June 14, 2024

“Since Tigran collapsed in court on May 23d with Malaria, his health conditions have worsened and Tigran now has pneumonia,” a recent statement from Gambaryan’s family read. “Despite a court order by Justice Emeka Nwite to take Tigran to hospital immediately, it took the prison authorities 11 days to take him for a brief check-up. The prison is not allowing the results of this check-up at the hospital to be released to his family, lawyers nor the US embassy as they have named a person from the prison as his next of kin.”

Earlier this month, members of Congress sent a letter to U.S. President Joe Biden urging him to demand Gambaryan’s immediate safe return.

“Mr. Gambaryan’s detainment has been marked by excessive and harsh treatment,” the U.S. lawmakers’ letter stated. “Further, he is not permitted to meet with his legal team without the presence of government officials and armed guards.”