Background of the Case
Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of the cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has initiated legal action against Nigerian authorities, specifically targeting the Natural Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The lawsuit, reported by Premium Times on March 18, accuses these agencies of violating Gambaryan's basic human rights. This legal move comes after Gambaryan's detention alongside Binance’s regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, as part of Nigeria's broader crackdown on crypto exchanges over alleged tax regulation violations.
Individual Lawsuits Filed
In addition to Gambaryan's lawsuit, Nadeem Anjarwalla has filed a separate legal suit for the enforcement of his rights with Justice Ekwo. Despite evading detention on March 22, Anjarwalla seeks the same legal resolutions as Gambaryan, aiming for justice over the alleged rights infringement. As of now, Binance has not provided comments regarding the lawsuits.
Allegations and Government Actions
The detentions in February, which included confiscation of their passports, were part of Nigeria's effort to regulate the crypto exchange market, alleging Binance's failure to comply with local tax laws. This crackdown is amidst the Nigerian Naira's consistent depreciation against the US dollar, with authorities claiming that Binance's lack of proper VAT invoice documentation impeded tax collection from its users.
Legal Demands and Court Proceedings
Gambaryan, holding US citizenship, contends that his detention and the subsequent passport confiscation breach his right to personal liberty as protected under the Nigerian Constitution. He demands his immediate release, the return of his passport, a permanent court order against future detentions related to Binance investigations, a public apology, and compensation for legal costs. He justifies his visit to Nigeria on February 26 as a business commitment, denying any wrongdoing.
Current Status and Future Hearings
A recent court session saw the appearance of senior Nigerian lawyer, TJ Krukrubo, who represented both executives albeit clarifying their lack of official legal representation. With Anjarwalla withdrawing from the legal battle on March 26, Justice Echo has postponed the hearing to April 8, providing time for the acquisition of legal representation and further preparation for the involved parties.
Notice:
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