The ongoing legal battle between Binance and the Nigerian government has taken another turn, with the case against Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s Chief Financial Crime Compliance Officer, being delayed once again.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and former IRS Special Agent, has been detained in Nigeria for over six months on charges of tax evasion and money laundering, despite having no decision-making authority at Binance. While the tax evasion charges have been dropped, the money laundering allegations persist.
The latest delay in the case occurred during a hearing on September 2, when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) failed to provide requested documents that would have aided in the cross-examination of its representative. The defense argued that the CBN’s refusal to comply with court orders is a pattern of obstruction.
In addition to the legal challenges, Gambaryan’s health has continued to decline. He appeared in court on September 2 with a walking stick, having previously relied on a wheelchair. His lawyer, Mark Modi, stated that prison officials had taken away the wheelchair, which has further impacted Gambaryan’s condition.
The Binance executive’s deteriorating health has prompted his defense team to file a bail application on medical grounds. However, the prosecution has contested this application, arguing that Gambaryan’s health issues are exaggerated.
The extended detention of Gambaryan has raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers, former prosecutors, and former IRS agents, who have called on the Biden administration to intervene. However, the U.S. government has yet to take any significant action on the case.