Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive at Binance, has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian National Security Adviser and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission on allegations of violating his basic human rights. Following a crackdown on crypto exchanges in Nigeria, Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla had their passports confiscated and were detained in February. Anjarwalla also filed his own lawsuit seeking rights enforcement. The Nigerian authorities accused Binance of violating tax regulations by not providing proper documentation and hindering tax collection from users due to Nigeria’s currency depreciation against the US dollar.
Gambaryan, who is a US citizen, argued that his detention and passport confiscation violated his right to personal liberty as per the Nigerian Constitution. He requested his immediate release and the return of his passport, along with a court order preventing authorities from detaining him in the future in relation to Binance-related investigations. He also sought a public apology and compensation for legal expenses incurred during this ordeal. Gambaryan clarified in an affidavit that he was in Nigeria on official business as a representative of Binance and had not committed any offenses during his visit.
During a recent court hearing, a Nigerian lawyer represented Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, stating they did not have official legal representation at the moment. Anjarwalla had filed a withdrawal notice on March 26. The case has been postponed to April 8 to allow the applicants to secure legal counsel and to provide the respondents with additional preparation time. The legal battle between the detained Binance executives and the Nigerian authorities continues in relation to the alleged violations of rights and the confiscation of their passports in the ongoing crypto exchange crackdown.
The lawsuits by Gambaryan and Anjarwalla are part of their efforts to enforce their rights in the face of the detention and passport confiscation by Nigerian authorities. The crackdown on cryptocurrency exchanges in Nigeria, including Binance, has led to allegations of tax violations and hindrance of tax collection. The legal saga is centered around the accusations against Binance executives and the violation of their rights in the course of their business dealings in Nigeria. The ongoing legal battle highlights the complexities surrounding cryptocurrency regulations and operations in various countries, as well as the challenges faced by international executives in navigating legal systems abroad.
The detained Binance executives are seeking legal remedies to address the alleged violations of their rights and the confiscation of their passports in Nigeria. Gambaryan and Anjarwalla’s lawsuits against the Nigerian authorities aim to secure their release, the return of their passports, a court order preventing future detentions, and compensation for legal expenses. The postponement of the court hearing provides the applicants with the opportunity to secure legal representation and allows the respondents more time for preparation. The legal battle highlights the challenges faced by international businesses operating in the cryptocurrency sector and the importance of upholding rights and legal protections in cross-border business dealings.
