Amanze Chinonye
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by former Binance Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, challenging what he described as his unlawful and prolonged detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Umar Mohammed, delivering judgment on Thursday, November 27, 2025, held that the court would not use the platform of a fundamental rights enforcement action to “interfere” with the lawful mandate of Nigerian authorities to investigate suspected foreign exchange violations and money laundering linked to transactions on the Binance platform. He ruled that Gambaryan’s detention fell within the scope of an active criminal investigation and was therefore lawful.
Gambaryan’s suit stemmed from a high-profile crackdown that began in early 2024, when Nigerian authorities intensified investigations into Binance over alleged illicit financial activities, including money laundering, foreign-exchange manipulation, and tax evasion.
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As part of the probe, a Federal High Court had ordered Binance to release detailed data on Nigerian users amid claims that the platform was being used for substantial suspicious forex trades and possible laundering of illicit funds.
Gambaryan, who was detained in Abuja alongside Binance’s regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, in February 2024, maintained that his months-long detention amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
His counsel argued that he was merely an employee carrying out compliance duties and should not have been held accountable for regulatory disagreements between the Nigerian government and Binance. Anjarwalla later escaped custody and fled the country, further heightening tensions around the case.
Despite subsequent withdrawal of money laundering charges against him in late 2024 and his eventual release on medical grounds, Gambaryan proceeded with a rights-enforcement suit against the EFCC and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), seeking compensation and a declaration that his detention was unconstitutional.
During proceedings, EFCC counsel Olanrewaju Adeola insisted that Gambaryan’s detention was justified, arguing that he was held based on active charges relating to money laundering and foreign-exchange contraventions.
Adeola described the suit as “a gross abuse of court processes,” stating that the former Binance executive was lawfully detained in the course of a legitimate investigation into allegations of economic sabotage.
The court agreed with the EFCC’s position and dismissed the suit in its entirety, effectively upholding the Nigerian government’s handling of the high-stakes investigation into Binance’s operations in the country.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
