According to Bloomberg, two US lawmakers recently visited a representative who is currently detained in Nigeria. The Nigerian tax agency had previously accused the representative, Gambaryan, of tax fraud, but these allegations were dropped last week. However, a separate money-laundering case against Gambaryan, brought by the anti-graft agency, resumed last Thursday in Abuja, the nation's capital.
Pennsylvania Democrat Houlahan, one of the visiting lawmakers, expressed her support for Gambaryan, stating that they would use the full force of America to ensure his safe return home. The Nigerian government has not responded to questions regarding the lawmakers' visit, but has previously denied allegations of unlawfully holding Gambaryan.
The conflict between Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, and the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, became public in February. Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and a colleague during a visit to discuss the company's compliance issues. The colleague managed to escape, but Gambaryan was initially held at a guest house before formal charges were brought against him and the company in April. He has since been detained at the Kuje correctional center, a high-security prison in the city.
Prior to Gambaryan's detention, the company had been facing issues in Nigeria for several months. Nigerian authorities had blocked access to cryptocurrency channels as part of a clampdown on speculation against the local currency, the naira. Officials argue that these platforms, popular among Nigerians, have contributed to the naira's 68% drop against the dollar since foreign-exchange rules were eased in June last year.
This case in Nigeria is the latest legal issue for the company. Its founder is also facing legal challenges.
