Nigerian officials have prolonged the confinement of two senior representatives from Binance, the leading global cryptocurrency exchange, following a nationwide clampdown on several digital asset trading platforms. The head of compliance for financial crimes, Tigran Gambaryan, and the company’s regional director for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were apprehended upon landing in Nigeria. Notably, their detention has persisted without the formal presentation of charges.
Push for Extended Detention Time
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) originally secured a 14-day custody order for the Binance officials to advance its probe into undisclosed matters. With the initial detention mandate concluding on Tuesday, the EFCC has sought an additional extension from a magistrate’s court situated in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Legal and Family Responses
Lawyers for the detained Binance executives have challenged the request for extended detention, asserting the lack of a valid basis for their continued incarceration. The relatives of the executives are eagerly anticipating a court session on March 20, which will determine the outcome of the extension plea.
Simultaneously, Binance is actively collaborating with Nigerian officials to facilitate the release of Gambaryan and Anjarwalla. There are unconfirmed reports that the EFCC has demanded information concerning Binance’s top 100 Nigerian users, although Binance has remained silent on this particular issue.
As the judicial proceedings unfold, the executives are housed in a secured location in Abuja. Elahe Anjarwalla, Nadeem Anjarwalla’s spouse, mentioned that she is able to speak with her husband daily under the supervision of law enforcement. Despite the reassurance of contact, stringent limits on their movement and social interactions are still enforced.