Revised Tax Charges by FIRS
The Nigerian Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dropped the tax charges against Binance executives Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, focusing solely on Binance. The accusations have been revised to include only the local representative of Binance.
Revision of Charges by FIRS
The FIRS has agreed to revise the charges so that only the crypto platform and its local entity are named. Gambaryan, who is currently ill, will no longer need to appear for the FIRS case, making Binance the sole defendant. However, Gambaryan and Anjarwalla are still implicated in a money laundering case led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Detention of Binance Executives and Controversy
Nigeria arrested Gambaryan and Anjarwalla in February during its investigation of the platform. Anjarwalla managed to escape shortly after. Subsequently, the country brought charges of money laundering and tax evasion against Binance and its executives.
Cela montre que ni Tigran ni Nadeem ne sont des décideurs chez Binance et n’auraient jamais dû être détenus et accusés. A family spokesperson
Gambaryan is responsible for financial crime compliance at Binance, while Anjarwalla was the director of operations in Africa.
Hearings and Hopes for Resolution
The next hearing regarding the money laundering case is scheduled for June 19, where an application for an order for the enforcement of fundamental rights will be examined. The trial will resume on June 20. Gambaryan remains detained at Kuje prison.
Binance hopes that the EFCC will take similar steps to allow Gambaryan to return home:
Tigran has been in detention for 110 days, and his physical health is deteriorating, including a recent diagnosis of malaria and pneumonia. Binance is committed to continuing to work with the Nigerian government to resolve this situation. Binance spokesperson
Conditions of Detention and Health Deterioration
On May 23, Gambaryan collapsed in court due to malaria. Since then, his condition has worsened with pneumonia. Despite an order from Judge Emeka Nwite to hospitalize him, the prison authorities took 11 days to transport him for a brief check-up, the results of which have not yet been communicated to his family.
Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, said, “We really need the US government to intervene more vigorously for the immediate release of an innocent American citizen. This has been going on for too long, and Tigran’s life is in danger.”
