A federal high court in Nigeria recently made a decision to dismiss a human rights lawsuit filed by Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla against the country’s National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The case was thrown out due to Anjarwalla’s lack of legal representation, which came after he fled Nigerian authority’s custody in March and his lawyer subsequently withdrew from the case. This outcome was not surprising to legal experts given the circumstances surrounding Anjarwalla’s actions.
Anjarwalla, who holds dual citizenship in Britain and Kenya, was among the Binance executives detained by the Nigerian government in February due to regulatory concerns related to the exchange’s operations. He managed to escape custody using his Kenyan passport, and his whereabouts are currently unknown. On the other hand, Tigran Gambaryan, another Binance executive, is still in Nigerian custody and is facing various legal challenges. He is being held at Kuje Prison and has a pending human rights enforcement application against the Nigerian government, scheduled to be heard on July 9. Gambaryan is also facing money laundering charges and has pleaded not guilty to these allegations. Despite his plea, the court has refused to grant him bail, citing concerns about him being a flight risk.
Recently, there have been rumors about potential intervention by the US government in Gambaryan’s ongoing detention. The meeting between FBI Director Christopher Wray and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has only added fuel to these speculations. Some believe that there might be a diplomatic intervention on behalf of Gambaryan. However, Binance has maintained its position that Gambaryan does not play a significant role in decision-making at the company and should not be detained while the exchange resolves its issues with the Nigerian government.
The legal battles faced by Binance executives in Nigeria highlight the complexities and challenges associated with operating in different jurisdictions. The dismissal of Anjarwalla’s lawsuit, the ongoing custody of Gambaryan, and the potential involvement of the US government all contribute to the uncertainty surrounding the situation. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact the operations of Binance and the future of crypto regulation in Nigeria.
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