Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla from Binance are detained in Nigeria following a government invitation related to a financial dispute.
In the midst of a growing friction between Binance and the Nigerian government, two senior officials from the cryptocurrency platform have been detained in Abuja for two weeks, sparking concern and diplomatic efforts.
An invitation with a trap-like appearance
Tigran Gambaryan, head of compliance against financial crimes at Binance, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, regional manager for Africa based in Kenya, have been involuntarily detained by Nigerian authorities.
Invited by the government to discuss a dispute over approximately $26 billion of missing funds, their arrival in Abuja on February 25 seemed to mark the beginning of a constructive dialogue. However, the outcome of the initial discussions took an unexpected turn, leading them from their hotel to a “guest house” under the control of the Nigerian National Security Agency.
Binance vs Nigeria: A conflict with international repercussions
The detention of these two executives, one a US citizen and the other with dual nationality of the UK and Kenya, highlights the seriousness of the conflict between Binance and Nigeria. The Nigerian government accuses the platform of facilitating the processing of untraceable funds, demanding $10 billion in penalties from Binance. This case extends beyond national borders, involving US and British diplomatic actors, although their attempts to meet have been hindered by Nigerian guards’ surveillance.
Binance, asserting the professional integrity of Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, is working in collaboration with Nigerian authorities to secure their safe return to their families. The cryptocurrency platform expresses confidence in a swift resolution to this delicate situation, while providing unwavering support to their detained employees.
