Binance Executive Sues Nigeria's NSA Over Detention

 

   Tigran Gambaryan

Confined Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has blamed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of violating his fundamental human rights.

In an originating motion, Gambaryan sought a declaration that his detention and seizure of his travel document, contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of 1999 Constitution (As Amended). He urged the court to order the NSA and EFCC to release him from their custody and return his passport with immediate effect.

Gambaryan equally sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and agents from further detaining him in relation to any investigation into or demands from Binance. He urged the court to order for the respondents to issue a public apology to him.

Gambaryan claimed that he was in Nigeria alongside fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla to honour invitation of the NSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria. He argued that he did not commit any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time.

At Thursday proceedings, Counsel to the plaintiffs, T.J. Krukrubo, informed the court that the respondents were served two days ago.

Meanwile, The Federal Government will on April 4 arraign Tigran Gambaryan and fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla, on allegations bordering on tax evasion. Binance, Mr Gambaryan and Mr Anjarwalla, listed as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively, are expected to be prosecuted before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja on a four-count charge.

Anjarwalla, who had been in detention alongside Gambaryan, was said to have escaped from lawful custody.