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Binance Executive, Gambaryan Accuses Nigerian Government of Maltreatment
Tigran Gambaryan, a senior executive at Binance facing money laundering charges, has raised serious allegations of mistreatment by the Nigerian government.
In a video that went viral on Monday, shared by SYMFONI, Gambaryan, who was seen using crutches, claimed that staff of the Nigeria Correctional Service had deliberately neglected him on direct orders from government officials.
“This is messed up. He was told not to assist me. This is a government directive. It’s all for show – I am an innocent man,” Gambaryan lamented in the footage.
The accusations surface after the embattled executive was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday. Gambaryan has been at the centre of a legal dispute, with his case receiving widespread attention.
On August 28, 2024, his legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mark Mordi, applied for bail on his behalf.
However, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ekene Iheanacho, opposed the bail application.
Iheanacho argued that Gambaryan’s health condition, which he claims as a reason for bail, is not a new development.
“My Lord, I don’t wish to delve too deeply into this issue. The defendant has been living with this spinal (disk) condition for the past 12 years, long before his arrival in Nigeria. It’s not a recent ailment,” Iheanacho stated during the hearing.
Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, also spoke out against the treatment her husband is receiving, calling the situation “entirely unjust.” In a previous statement, she revealed that Gambaryan was detained unlawfully after being invited to Nigeria under false pretences for a meeting.
The legal battle dates back to earlier this year when, in April, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ruled that Gambaryan should remain in custody at Kuje prison while awaiting the outcome of his bail application.
This situation has escalated since February, when Gambaryan and a fellow Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were arrested by Nigerian authorities. Anjarwalla, who is currently at large, along with Gambaryan, faces charges related to money laundering and terrorism financing.
The case has attracted significant attention both within Nigeria and internationally, raising concerns about legal procedures and treatment of foreign nationals in Nigerian custody.
Bitcoin has fallen below $63,000, reaching its lowest level since October 2024 amid weakening investor confidence and increased volatility in the cryptocurrency market.
According to CoinMarketCap data, Bitcoin dropped 13.9 per cent to $62,965 as of 10:20 p.m. on Thursday. The decline comes after months of downward movement, with the cryptocurrency now more than 45 per cent below its October peak.
Ethereum also recorded a sharp decline, falling 13 per cent to $1,863, while the global cryptocurrency market capitalisation dropped to $2.19 trillion.
Analysts reportedly linked the latest decline to a broader sell-off in US technology stocks, which has also affected other risk assets. Bitcoin had reached an all-time high of more than $125,000 on October 5 before falling sharply in the days that followed, highlighting the continued volatility in the crypto market.
Businessman Aliko Dangote has explained why he believes Nigerians should participate in the ownership of his refinery by purchasing shares.
He was asked by singer Davido why Nigerians should participate, and Dangote explained that the initiative would help spread wealth and prosperity across Africa.
“Well, it’s very important because that is the only way to spread prosperity and wealth throughout Africa. And like I said, this is not going to be the first and the last. We will continue with even our fertilizer. By the time we finish listing, every single one will own part of our businesses and we will create a pool of cash…”
He explained that the goal is to create opportunities for more Nigerians to own a stake in the businesses and help spread wealth across the country.
Aliko Dangote speaks on his lineage and addresses not having a son as he was asked about not having a son to carry his name and achievements.
“That is not my priority because God controls everything. You can pray for God to give you a son, but he might be the one to take down the name of the family.”
Instead, he shared that he does not mind not having a son. “I don’t think a son would have done better than the three daughters I have.”
Aside from that, he was also asked about giving advice to young Nigerians. “Work hard, be consistent, focused and know what you want to do.”
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