Detained Binance executive barred from seeking legal counsel as health deteriorates in Nigerian prison
Binance's Former Compliance Chief Remains Detained in Nigeria Amidst Ongoing Legal Battles
Tigran Gambaryan, the former compliance chief of Binance and a U.S. citizen with a background as a special agent with the IRS, has been detained in Nigeria since February 26. The detention, which took place during a compliance visit related to Binance’s operations, has attracted international attention and scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers.
Gambaryan's legal proceedings have experienced repeated delays, with the latest postponement occurring on July 16, 2025. The presiding judge did not appear, pushing the trial further into October. Binance faces massive legal claims, including a $79 billion tax claim and a $35 million fraud suit, with Gambaryan’s case tied into these broader investigations.
Nigeria’s approach, including Gambaryan’s detention, appears linked to its economic troubles, notably the currency (naira) crash. The Nigerian authorities have blamed cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, resulting in heavy regulatory pressure and demands for substantial fines as part of a negotiating stance. Despite this, Nigerian regulators have recently shifted toward cautiously fostering a stablecoin ecosystem and engaging with crypto innovation, but the scars from prior aggressive actions—including Gambaryan’s arrest—still affect trust and stability.
Gambaryan's health has been a concern during his detention. He requires surgery for a herniated disc and has been suffering from throat infections and pneumonia, ailments he reportedly picked up in prison. His wife, Yuki, has made a public appeal to the Nigerian government for his release to receive adequate medical treatment. Richard Teng, Binance's CEO, has also complained that the Nigerian authorities refuse to release Gambaryan.
Several US lawmakers have petitioned the US president, Joe Biden, to intervene and secure Gambaryan's release. Additionally, Nigerian authorities have not released Gambaryan's medical records to his lawyers, despite a court order. The press release states that the Nigerian authorities are allegedly attempting to manipulate Binance into doing their bidding by refusing to release Gambaryan.
The legal team has not been allowed to enter the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, since July 26. Meanwhile, another top official of Binance, Nadeem Anjarwalla, escaped custody after being detained in Nigeria a month later than Gambaryan, but he remains at large.
As the court case for Gambaryan resumes on October 11, the international community will continue to watch the developments closely, hoping for a resolution that ensures justice and respects human rights.
[1] Binance's Detained Executive: A Case of Political Manipulation? (2025). The Crypto Chronicle. Retrieved from https://www.thecryptochronicle.com/news/binances-detained-executive-a-case-of-political-manipulation/
[2] Binance Faces $79 Billion Tax Claim in Nigeria (2025). CoinDesk. Retrieved from https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/04/28/binance-faces-79-billion-tax-claim-in-nigeria/
[3] Nigeria's Shift Towards Stablecoins: A Cautious Embrace of Crypto Innovation (2025). The Block. Retrieved from https://www.theblockcrypto.com/post/118721/nigerias-shift-towards-stablecoins-a-cautious-embrace-of-crypto-innovation
[4] The Impact of Gambaryan's Arrest on Nigeria's Crypto Regulations (2025). Cointelegraph. Retrieved from https://cointelegraph.com/news/the-impact-of-gambaryan-s-arrest-on-nigeria-s-crypto-regulations
[5] US Lawmakers Urge Biden to Intervene in Binance Executive's Detention (2025). Decrypt. Retrieved from https://decrypt.co/84162/us-lawmakers-urge-biden-to-intervene-in-binance-executive-s-detention
- The detention of Tigran Gambaryan, the former compliance chief of Binance, has sparked debates about political manipulation, living in Nigeria amid ongoing legal battles.
- Despite Nigeria's recent efforts to foster stablecoin ecosystems and engage with crypto innovation, the arrest of Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, has left scars affecting trust and stability within the industry.
- In the heart of Africa, Gambaryan's health concerns have escalated, with demands for his release to receive medical treatment for health-and-wellness issues such as throat infections, pneumonia, and a herniated disc.
- As the digital assets arena becomes a broader part of general-news, the international community follows finance- and fintech-related events in Africa, like Binance's $79 billion tax claim and the detention of Gambaryan, repercussions of crime-and-justice issues.
- Amidst the complications, U.S lawmakers have petitioned President Joe Biden for intervention to secure Gambaryan's release, citing the potential manipulation of Binance by Nigerian authorities.
- Medical records of Gambaryan remain undisclosed to his legal team despite a court order, adding to speculations about the political implications and human rights concerns surrounding his detention in Africa's most populous country, Nigeria.
