March 28, (THEWILL)- Detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking enforcement of his rights.
Also, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance Africa Regional Manager, who escaped from lawful custody on March 22, has filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Iyang Ekwo of the same Federal High Court in Abuja.
The separate suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, respectively, had the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as 1st and 2nd respondents.
The lawsuits target the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging violations of fundamental rights.
Filed on his behalf by legal counsel from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, Gambaryan said his detention and seizure of his international travel passport infringed on constitutional provisions safeguarding personal liberty.
Among the reliefs sought are his immediate release from custody, the return of his passport, an injunction against further detention regarding any Binance-related investigations, and a public apology from the respondents.
In a supportive affidavit, Gambaryan said he is an American citizen who visited Nigeria on February 26, 2024, alongside his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, as a representative of Binance, to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria.
Giving an 11-ground argument as to why his application should be granted, he said he and his colleague, Anjarwalla, dutifully attended the meeting.
He said after the meeting, the two of them were detained by the respondents and had remained in detention since then.
Maintaining his innocence, Gambaryan said he did not commit any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time.
However, during court proceedings on Thursday, Gambaryan’s legal representation withdrew.
Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until April 8, 2024, to allow for new representation and for the respondents to prepare their responses.
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