Tigran Gambaryan, head of financial crimes at cryptocurrency platform Binance, was tried in Nigeria and detained in the country. He faces charges of #money laundering and unlicensed operations.
The high-ranking official has refused to plead guilty, claiming he was not involved in the company's decisions and actions. Gambarian maintains that he has not personally violated Nigerian laws and considers his detention illegal.
Authorities dismissed the detained executive's claims, emphasizing that Nigerian law allows individuals to be held accountable for the company's actions.
Officials maintain that Gambarian is responsible for Binance's misconduct and suggest he could be sentenced in the same way as his fugitive colleague.
Nadeem Anjarwalla, who oversaw Binance's operations in East and West Africa, fled from Nigerian authorities using a Kenyan passport.
The judge emphasized that the litigation can extend to persons represented by agents in Nigeria even if they are not physically present.
The court adjourned the case until April 18, 2024. Gambarian's lawyer had sought his client's detention before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while prosecutors argued for detention at Kuje Prison near the Nigerian capital.
Anjarwalla and Gambarian were detained in Nigeria in late February 2024 after negotiations with local authorities. After being moved under surveillance, Anjarwalla fled the country.
