October 23, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has withdrawn the money laundering charges preferred against the detained Head of Binance financial crime compliance unit, Tigran Gambaryan.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission announced the decision on Wednesday, upon the resumption of hearing on the money laundering charges against Gambaryan at the federal high court in Abuja,
Speaking through its counsel, R U Adaba, the anti-graft agency said Gambaryan is just an employee of the cryptocurrency firm and was not involved in the offences allegedly committed by the company.
Consequently, Justice Nwite discharged Gambaryan from the charge and adjourned the trial against Binance until Nov. 22 and Nov. 25 for continuation of trial.
Binance, its U.S. head of financial crime compliance, Gambaryan, and the exchange British-Kenyan regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were facing money laundering charges to the tune of $35 million brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
THEWILL had on Friday, reported that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) told the Federal High Court in Abuja that Gambaryan was “very sick”.
The Court, on April 8, ordered that Gambaryan be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.
His lawyer, Mark Mordi (SAN) had on September 4, requested a six-week bail for Gambaryan to seek proper medical attention outside of prison, citing inadequate care in custody.
Mordi told the court that Gambaryan’s health was “perilous” and required surgery for a herniated disc and psychiatric care due to depression and anxiety.
The application, however, was rejected by Justice Emeka Nwite, noting that “renowned Nigerian medical experts are already managing” his health at the Kuje Correctional medical facility.
