Nigerian Government Denies Allegations of Poor Prison Conditions for Binance Exec

YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — The Nigerian government has denied claims that Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan is being held in poor prison conditions. Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s minister of information and national orientation, stated on June 21 that Gambaryan receives quality medical care and full consular support from his home government.

Idris emphasized that Gambaryan’s detention is based on a court order. He stated,

“It has become necessary for the Federal Government of Nigeria to address claims that Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan is being held in unsavory prison conditions in Nigeria or that his health is deteriorating. We would like to state that these allegations are false and should be ignored.”

According to Idris, Gambaryan enjoys full consular support and the government is committed to protecting his basic rights.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to follow due process in its quest to bring Binance to justice — a legitimate sovereign quest that is similarly being pursued in several other countries worldwide.”

U.S. Lawmakers Urge Release of Binance Exec in Nigerian Prison

On June 19, U.S. Representatives French Hill and Chrissy Houlahan visited Gambaryan at the Kuje Detention facility. They posted a video of their visit on X, calling for his release. In their video, they highlighted Gambaryan’s significant work fighting money laundering and tax evasion. He spent a decade as a special agent at the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, leading numerous cyber and financial crime investigations.

Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, has appealed to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release her husband. She cited the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) recent withdrawal of charges as a precedent. U.S. lawmakers support her plea, emphasizing Gambaryan’s dedication to combating financial crimes.

Nigerian SEC Testifies Against Binance in Ongoing Legal Battle

During a hearing on June 21, Abdulkadir Abbas, a director at the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission, testified in the EFCC’s case against Binance and Gambaryan. He reiterated that Binance had not obtained the necessary registration to operate in Nigeria. Abbas’s testimony is a key part of the ongoing legal proceedings, which focus on Binance’s compliance with Nigerian regulations.

The case has been adjourned to July 1 for continuation of cross-examination.

The minister’s statement aims to reassure both Nigerian citizens and the international community of the country’s commitment to lawful judicial processes. The case progresses with upcoming court dates and the implications for both Gambaryan and Binance.