Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation
Two executives from Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, have filed a lawsuit against Nigeria’s national security adviser’s office and the anti-graft agency, over the violation of their fundamental rights and requesting the court to release them.
Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, along with Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British Kenyan serving as Binance’s regional manager for Africa travelled to Nigeria after the ban of Binance and several cryptocurrency trading platforms.
Upon arrival in Nigeria, the duo were apprehended by the office of the national security adviser, who also confiscated their passports.
On Thursday, Gambaryan appeared in a Federal High Court in the capital Abuja seeking Judge Iyang Ekwo declaration that his detention and seizure of his passport by the National Security Adviser and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) “amounts to a violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty” as guaranteed by Nigeria’s constitution.
Also, Anjarwalla, who escaped from lawful custody on March 22, filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Ekwo.
The executives, who said they had not been informed of any offences committed, requested an order to release them and return their passports, a public apology and a restraining order from further detention.
The judge adjourned the hearing to April 8 due to the absence of lawyers representing the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the EFCC.
Anjarwalla, who also holds Kenyan citizenship, is believed to have departed Abuja via a Middle Eastern airline. The country is reportedly in talks with Interpol to secure an international arrest warrant for Anjarwalla.
Binance has been instructed to provide the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with detailed data and information regarding all Nigerian traders on its platform.
According to Yemi Cardoso, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), over $26 billion passed through Binance Nigeria from unknown sources.
