The news:
- Two members of the US Congress are in Nigeria to call for the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance employee who has been detained for four months in Kuje prison, Abuja.
- The two Congress members said Gambaryan is being held hostage in Nigeria and want him back home.
- However, Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has maintained money laundering charges against the Binance employee. This is following the withdrawal of a tax evasion charge by the FIRS.
The two US Congress members, French Hill and Chrissy Houlahan, said they met Gambaryan "suffering from the conditions there, as he has malaria and double pneumonia, and he reports that he has lost significant weight. Even worse, he's being denied access to adequate medical attention."
Hill posted on X that he and his colleague came to Nigeria on a national security visit to talk about America's support for Nigeria against terrorism, but also took the opportunity to advocate for the release of Gambaryan, who has been wrongfully detained in Kuje prison.
The Nigerian government detained Gambaryan on February 28, 2024, after he and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance's Regional Manager for Africa were invited to meet with the EFCC and Office of the National Security Adviser.
While Anjarwalla escaped from detention, Gambaryan has remained in Kuje Prison.
On June 15, 2024, FIRS dropped tax evasion charges against Binance executives, but the EFCC has stated that it will continue its money laundering charges against Gambaryan.
Binance has countered these charges by arguing that he is not a decision-maker in the company.
Interestingly, his detainment has continued to get the attention of US lawmakers, which could turn the tides in favour of Gambaryan.
Before Hill and Houlahan's visit, US lawmakers had asked US President, Joe Biden to secure the release of Gambaryan who is a US citizen, as they feared for his life.
