US Lawmakers Advocate for Immediate Release of Detained Binance Executive in Nigeria

By: Isha Das

US lawmakers French Hill and Chrissy Houlahan recently visited Tigran Gambaryan, a detained Binance executive, at Kuje Prison in Nigeria. In a June 20 post on X, Hill described Gambaryan’s ordeal in a “horrible prison” where he is being denied medical care despite severe health issues, including malaria, double pneumonia, and weight loss. Hill emphasized the injustice of Gambaryan’s detention, drawing attention to his medical plight.

“We found him suffering from the conditions [at the Kuje prison], as he has malaria and double pneumonia, and he reports that he has lost significant weight. Even worse, he’s being denied access to adequate medical attention.”

Gambaryan heads Binance’s financial crime compliance department and was detained in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on February 26 alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance's regional manager for Africa. Anjarwalla escaped custody on March 22. Hill called for Gambaryan’s immediate humanitarian release, stressing that his ongoing detention is unjust.

“Tigran must be immediately granted a humanitarian release, the remaining charges dropped, and he must return home to America where he belongs.”

The visit by US lawmakers is part of a broader campaign involving US politicians and former federal agents to secure Gambaryan’s release. Recently, lawmakers, including Rep. Hill, and former federal agents sent letters to the State Department advocating for his release. Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, also urged the US government to intensify efforts in securing her husband’s release.

“It is time for the Nigerian authorities to do the right thing and let my innocent husband go. Our tax dollars support Nigeria annually. As an ally, I refuse to believe that our State Department cannot do more to secure the release of an innocent American citizen.”

Money Laundering Charges

Gambaryan’s legal troubles continue as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) resumed its money laundering case against Binance and Gambaryan on June 20. The court session allowed cross-examining witnesses, including Abdulkabir Abbas, a Director with Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Abbas testified that Binance had failed to register with his office before commencing operations in the country. Last year, the Nigerian SEC declared Binance’s operations illegal and urged the public to avoid the platform.

This development follows a June 14 court ruling that cleared Gambaryan and Anjarwalla of tax evasion charges.