US Seeks Access to Ailing Binance Executive Detained in Nigeria
A senior official from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the United States is requesting consular access to Tigran Gambaryan, a detained Binance executive currently held at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja.
Gambaryan, a US citizen and Binance’s Chief of Financial Crimes Compliance, was arrested in February 2024 along with another executive, Anjarwalla, upon their arrival in Nigeria. Their arrests followed an investigation that allegedly linked Binance to money laundering and terrorism financing.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja is scheduled to rule on a new bail application filed by Gambaryan’s legal team on October 9.
There are growing concerns about Gambaryan’s health. Binance CEO Richard Teng has called for his release, citing claims of deteriorating health and inadequate medical care. Additionally, Gambaryan’s family has reported that he is being denied access to a wheelchair.
An anonymous source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Punch that the US is particularly concerned about Gambaryan’s well-being. “I wouldn’t say they are lobbying; they are just worried about not being granted access to him as a US citizen. Remember, Binance has also faced issues in the US,” the source explained.