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US Lawmaker Warns Nigeria: Free Binance Executive or Risk Bilateral Strain
US Representative James Hill has expressed concerns over the ongoing detention of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria, warning that it could strain the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
Hill made his position clear in a recent statement, emphasizing that Gambaryan, a US citizen, has been held for an extended period despite not being directly involved in the accusations against him.
In his statement, Hill expressed disappointment that Nigeria, considered a key ally of the US, is detaining Gambaryan over charges of tax evasion and other financial crimes.
Hill urged President Joe Biden to take stronger action to secure the release of the executive, noting that Gambaryan had played a crucial role in helping American authorities dismantle numerous cybercrime networks.
He argued that it is time for the US to reciprocate the support Gambaryan has provided to the country’s fight against cybercrime.
Gambaryan, who has now been detained for six months, continues to face accusations that have drawn significant attention.
Hill, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and leads the subcommittee on digital assets and financial technology, has been one of the prominent voices calling for his release.
He stressed that Gambaryan’s contributions in combating global cyber threats should be acknowledged, and his current legal troubles in Nigeria should not overshadow his positive impact.
This is not the first time Hill has called for action regarding Gambaryan’s situation.
Along with fellow US lawmaker Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania, Hill had previously visited the Binance executive in detention earlier in the year.
Following their visit, both lawmakers raised alarms over the poor prison conditions and the negative effects on Gambaryan’s health.
They appealed to the US embassy in Nigeria to advocate for his humanitarian release, arguing that he was wrongfully detained and pointing to his deteriorating health as a critical factor in their plea.
The ongoing case has stirred international attention, with more voices joining the call for Gambaryan’s freedom.
Hill and Houlahan’s efforts have also drawn support from a congressional task force dedicated to addressing cases of Americans who are wrongfully detained abroad.
The lawmakers strongly believe that Gambaryan’s situation aligns with the criteria of wrongful detention and are determined to push for his release.
As the case lingers, the prolonged detention of Gambaryan has sparked debates about the broader implications for US-Nigeria relations.
The lawmakers have emphasized that resolving this matter diplomatically could help avoid tensions and maintain the strong ties between both nations.
The situation remains a critical topic, with hopes for a resolution growing as pressure mounts for Nigerian authorities to reconsider their position.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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