Binance CEO Appeals to US for Intervention in Nigeria Detainment Case

By: Isha Das

Binance CEO Richard Teng is urging the US government to intervene for Tigran Gambaryan, a US citizen and Binance employee, detained in Nigeria since February. Teng's appeal comes amidst significant health deteriorations in Gambaryan's condition and ahead of his trial rescheduled to Sept. 2, originally set for Oct. 11.

In an Aug. 27 statement, Teng called on the US to classify Gambaryan as an 'unlawfully detained' citizen abroad, citing substantial reasons for action. He stated, "It is my sincere hope that the American government and political apparatus can exert its political will and muscle to bring Tigran home soon, so that he can get adequate treatment and be reunited with his family and loved ones."

Gambaryan, along with Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance's regional manager for Africa, was detained in Abuja, Nigeria, after traveling there voluntarily at the government's invitation. Anjarwalla has since escaped, leading authorities to move Gambaryan to Kuje prison, where he faced charges of money laundering and tax evasion. While the tax evasion charges have been dropped, Gambaryan continues to face accusations of money laundering, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Gambaryan's health has worsened significantly over his detention period. He is believed to have contracted malaria, resulting in double pneumonia and a tonsil infection. Teng confirmed Gambaryan is in severe pain and unable to walk due to a herniated disc. Despite court orders and pleas for humane treatment, Nigerian authorities have denied him proper medical care, including basic necessities like a wheelchair.

Due to his deteriorating health condition, Teng has called on the Nigerian government to release Gambaryan on humanitarian grounds, enabling him to return to the US for necessary medical treatment. Teng reiterated, "I appeal once again for the Nigerian government to allow him to go home to his family on humanitarian grounds so that he can seek the appropriate medical treatment in the US, recover and get back to the healthy, active life he previously had."