The U.S. government is calling on Nigeria to release Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance employee and former U.S. law enforcement officer, who has been in Nigerian custody since February 2024. Gambaryan was arrested while conducting business meetings in Nigeria on behalf of Binance, the popular cryptocurrency exchange.
Nigerian authorities initially charged Gambaryan and Binance with tax evasion and money laundering. Although the tax charges against him were later dropped, the money laundering accusations remain. Binance has denied any wrongdoing and described Gambaryan as a mid-level employee who had no direct involvement in these activities.
The case has turned into a significant diplomatic issue between the U.S. and Nigeria. According to U.S. officials, Gambaryan’s health has deteriorated while in prison. He has reportedly suffered from malaria, pneumonia, and complications from a herniated disk. His family has expressed concern that he is not receiving adequate medical care, further worsening his condition.
The U.S. government has stepped in, urging Nigeria to release Gambaryan on humanitarian grounds. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other top diplomats have raised the issue in talks with Nigerian officials, asking for Gambaryan to be freed so he can receive proper medical treatment.
However, Nigerian authorities argue that Gambaryan is receiving medical care and insist that his legal issues need to be resolved in court. Bayo Onanuga, an adviser to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, stated that discussions are ongoing but emphasized that Nigeria would follow legal procedures. He also assured that the government would keep Gambaryan’s humanitarian rights in mind.
The Nigerian attorney general’s office also released a statement noting that any potential pardon for Gambaryan could only happen after his trial, which is set to begin in October.
The timing of Gambaryan’s arrest has raised questions. His detention occurred shortly after Binance agreed to pay $4.3 billion to U.S. authorities to settle money laundering charges. Binance’s founder, Changpeng Zhao, is also dealing with legal issues and is currently serving a prison sentence, which has added more attention to the company’s ongoing legal struggles.
Supporters of Gambaryan, including his lawyer Robert S. Litt, have been pushing the U.S. government to take stronger action by designating him as “wrongfully detained.” This designation would open the door for the U.S. to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials involved in the case. However, the U.S. has not yet taken this step.
Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, has expressed frustration with the slow progress in resolving her husband’s situation. She has urged U.S. diplomats to take swift action and focus on the humanitarian aspect of her husband’s case. With high-level Nigerian officials expected to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York soon, she hopes more pressure will be placed on Nigeria to secure his release.
This case highlights the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Nigeria, especially around the growing scrutiny of cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, which have faced legal challenges across various countries.
As Gambaryan’s health worsens, the U.S. continues to push for a resolution, while Nigerian officials maintain that legal proceedings must take their course.
