A Crypto Officer’s Nigerian Nightmare #CriptoNews

Tigran Gambaryan, an American citizen and a compliance officer for Binance, has been unjustly detained in Nigeria since February 2024. What started as a business trip to discuss cryptocurrency regulations has become a fight for his life. He now languishes in Nigeria’s notorious Kuje Prison.

From Compliance To Captivity

Tigran, a former U.S. federal agent, was sent to Nigeria by Binance, a global cryptocurrency exchange, to address regulatory concerns from Nigerian officials. Binance has faced worldwide scrutiny, and Nigeria—a major player in the global crypto space—was no exception. The Nigerian government accused Binance of enabling capital flight, contributing to the collapse of the naira, Nigeria’s official currency.

In January 2024, Tigran faced hostile meetings with Nigerian lawmakers who alleged that Binance was evading taxes and violating anti-money laundering laws. Lured back to Nigeria under assurances of safe passage, Tigran returned in February and had hoped to resolve the situation. The meetings began professionally but quickly turned hostile. On February 26, Tigran and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were taken into custody by Nigerian security officials without formal charges. Nigerian security officials detained them at a government-controlled guesthouse for nearly a month.

During his six months of detention, Tigran has endured severe physical and emotional anguish. While his colleague managed a mysterious escape in March, Tigran remains incarcerated. He is enduring worsening conditions as the Nigerian government pursues charges against Tigran as well as against Binance.

Deteriorating Health And Unlawful Detention

After six months in detention, Tigran’s health has critically deteriorated. Suffering from an untreated herniated disc, he is now unable to walk without crutches. He is permitted access to a wheelchair only when he has a visitor. Despite repeated court orders, prison authorities have withheld his medical records.

Yuki Gambaryan, Tigran’s wife, has released an emotional video statement highlighting the severe toll his detention has taken:

“His health is deteriorating so much that he can no longer walk. Between bouts of malaria, pneumonia, and now severe tonsillitis, he is reaching the point of no return. For six months, our children haven’t held their father’s hand. He has missed everything important to us, and now I fear he may not survive this nightmare,” Yuki says in her plea.

In my recent interview with one of Tigran’s attorneys, Will Frentzen (a partner in Morrison Foerster’s Securities Litigation, Enforcement, and White Collar Defense Group and the former chief of the Corporate and Securities Fraud Unit for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California), he described the severity of Tigran’s condition. Immediate medical interventions necessitate back surgery, along with treatment for tonsillitis and a concerning chest infection. Tigran previously contracted pneumonia and malaria, and there is a risk the malaria will recur. Frentzen emphasized, “Tigran Gambaryan’s detention is not just a miscarriage of justice because he is innocent of these charges; it is a life-threatening situation. Despite court orders, his access to critical medical care remains, and the conditions of his imprisonment continue to worsen. We call on the Nigerian authorities to comply with international human rights standards and release him immediately. It’s a matter of saving a human life.”

From July 26 to August 14, authorities barred Tigran’s legal team from visiting him. Even when granted access, they were only allowed a five-minute visit—insufficient to prepare for his trial. Afterward, they were again denied entry, further obstructing his defense.

U.S. Intervention And Congressional Action

In light of these alarming developments, lawmakers introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives. On July 10, 2024, Representative Rich McCormick (R-GA) and Representative French Hill (R-AR) submitted House Resolution 1348 (H.Res. 1348), urging that the Nigerian government immediately release Tigran Gambaryan. The resolution also calls on the U.S. Government to formally designate Tigran as a U.S. citizen wrongfully detained by a foreign government under the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act. The resolution highlights the deteriorating conditions in Kuje Prison and emphasizes how Tigran’s continued detention lacks legal basis. It has bipartisan support.

Tigran Gambaryan’s Delayed Justice

Despite these efforts, Nigerian officials continue to delay action, and Tigran’s health continues to decline. His trial was interrupted, with proceedings postponed when the judiciary went on recess in July. On September 2, 2024, a bail application hearing for Tigran was adjourned to September 4 by the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite. During this hearing, Justice Nwite ordered Tigran to be allowed to use a wheelchair in court. However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecutor opposed the application, claiming that Tigran was not in ill health. On September 10, Justice Nwite adjourned Tigran’s trial until October 11, 2024, extending his time in prison even further.

Notwithstanding his being charged as part of an effort to hold Binance accountable, the Nigerian authorities dropped the tax evasion charges against Tigran in June, agreeing to bring those charges against Binance. The Nigerian government has openly admitted that trying Tigran and Binance together is a way to pressure the company, further showcasing the political nature of his detention.

In my recent discussion with Jim Lee, Global Head of Capacity Building at Chainalysis and former Chief of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, he expressed deep concern over Tigran’s wrongful detention. Lee emphasized that “Tigran is being unjustly held responsible for actions tied to Binance that were beyond his control as a compliance officer. It is troubling to see him punished for issues he had no involvement in.”

With each legal delay, Tigran’s health deteriorates further, increasing the urgency for immediate action.

A Call For Immediate Action

Tigran’s wrongful detention is no longer just a legal matter—it has become a life-or-death situation.

Since his arrest, Tigran has missed countless milestones: his son’s 5th birthday and first day of school, his 40th birthday, and his 15th wedding anniversary with his wife, Yuki, on August 31. His health is hanging by a thread, and his family is left pleading for his life.

The U.S. Congress, Binance, and Tigran’s family have all called for his immediate release. The world watches closely as Nigerian officials head to the United Nations General Assembly. With Tigran’s life in jeopardy, Nigeria can act now—before it’s too late.

It’s time to end the suffering. It’s time to bring Tigran home.

To learn more or support the efforts to bring Tigran home, visit www.bringtigranhome.com

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are my own and do not necessarily reflect any official policy or position of any organization. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not legal or financial advice.