
Shocking Update: Binance Execs Trapped in Nigerian Custody Until Court Verdict
According to recent reporting from The Wall Street Journal, two top Binance executives are being held in Nigerian custody until at least March 20th. The two men, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, were detained on February 26th after flying to Abuja to meet with the Nigerian government at their invitation. This move comes as the country is facing a foreign exchange crisis and has accused Binance of contributing to the decline of its currency, the naira.
Gambaryan, a former IRS special agent, serves as Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, while Anjarwalla, a dual U.K.-Kenyan national, is the exchange’s regional manager for Africa. While the two have not been charged with any crimes, the Nigerian government has accused their employer, Binance, of crashing the naira.
According to Anjarwalla’s wife, a Nigerian court has approved a two-week detention for the two executives, pending an investigation, after they were first detained at a guarded house. Nigeria’s National Security Adviser described the detentions as a “national security issue” for the country, while a spokesperson for the Central Bank governor claimed that $26 billion in untraceable funds flowed through Binance Nigeria last year.
A second court hearing on Wednesday did not officially extend the detention period, but set a follow-up hearing for March 20th. The Nigerian officials were given additional time to respond to arguments made by the executives’ lawyers. Binance has stated they are working closely with Nigerian authorities to bring the two back home safely to their families.
Additionally, Binance maintains that they are still working to bring their colleagues home and resolve the situation. The exchange also tweeted on Wednesday that they are committed to working collaboratively with Nigerian authorities.
The situation in Nigeria serves as a reminder of the complexity of operating a global cryptocurrency exchange in different legal and regulatory environments. This issue highlights the need for continued cooperation and communication between companies like Binance and government officials to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship for both parties.
In conclusion, the detention of two Binance executives in Nigeria has brought attention to the ongoing foreign exchange crisis in the country. As the situation unfolds, it is important for all parties involved to remain open and communicate effectively to find a resolution that benefits both the government and the cryptocurrency world.