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 pressing for 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 financial crimes compliance chief, was arrested in February 2024, alongside another executive, Anjarwalla, upon their arrival in Nigeria. The arrests followed an investigation allegedly linking Binance to money laundering and terrorism financing.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has set October 9 to rule on a fresh bail application brought forward by Gambaryan’s legal team.

Concerns have been raised regarding Gambaryan’s health, with Binance’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Teng, urging for his release due to claims of deteriorating health and insufficient medical care. Gambaryan’s family has also alleged that he is being denied access to a wheelchair.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) source, who spoke to Punch on condition of anonymity, noted that the US was particularly focused on Gambaryan’s well-being.

“I would not say they are lobbying; they are just concerned that they are not being granted access to the man (being a US citizen). Remember that Binance had their issue in the US as well,” the source explained.