Binance boss departs Nigeria after FG dropped money laundering charges

The Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, has departed Nigeria  days after the Federal government dropped money laundering charges against him.  

The world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange made the disclosure pf his departure from Nigeria in a statement released on Thursday, October 24.

“Today, American citizen Tigran Gambaryan left Nigeria to return home to his family after eight months of unlawful detention.

“Gambaryan was allowed to leave Kuje prison last night. His health has suffered significantly while in prison. He will now be able to finally receive the medical attention he desperately requires,” the exchange said.

LIB had earlier reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, dismissed the money laundering charges brought against Gambaryan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. During the court session, the EFCC explained that the case could not proceed at the last adjourned date due to Gambaryan’s declining health. The Nigerian Correctional Service and the Office of the National Security Adviser, indicated that Gambaryan’s condition had worsened to the extent that he could hardly walk without the aid of a wheelchair.

Reacting to the dismissal of his charges and departure from Nigeria, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, in a statement released, expressed her relief that he has now regained his freedom.

“It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the US government for their efforts in securing his release. I also want to thank everyone who helped us throughout this ordeal. There were moments I feared this day would never come, but Tigran’s supporters gave me hope and strength.

“The road ahead for Tigran’s recovery is going to be difficult, and I appreciate being given the time and space to focus on that. Our children cannot wait to see their dad again” she stated

In February, Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a 37-year-old British-Kenyan who serves as the regional manager for Africa at Binance. Both were charged with money laundering involving $35m, as initiated by the anti-graft agency. While Anjarwalla managed to escape custody on March 22, 2024, Gambaryan was arraigned in court on April 8.