Detained Binance executive amidst deteriorating health barred from consultations with lawyers in Nigeria
Binance Official Remains Imprisoned in Nigeria Amidst Health Concerns and Legal Proceedings
Tigran Gambaryan, the head of financial crime compliance at global cryptocurrency exchange Binance, remains incarcerated in Nigeria's Kuje Correctional Center. His legal team has not been granted access to him since July 26, and his health has become a significant concern.
Gambaryan was arrested in Nigeria during a compliance visit in early 2024. He was initially released due to health issues, but all charges against him related to money laundering and currency speculation were dropped by the Nigerian government following intense diplomatic negotiations between Nigeria and the U.S. in October 2024 [1][2][3][5].
However, in a turn of events, Gambaryan was rearrested and detained. His passport was confiscated, and he has since been suffering from a herniated disc, throat infections, and pneumonia [4]. His wife, Yuki, has appealed to the Nigerian government for his release to receive adequate medical treatment.
Despite the ongoing court case, legal proceedings in the Abuja-based Federal High Court have been adjourned until October 11, following the court's holiday [6]. The Nigerian authorities have not released Gambaryan's medical records to his lawyers, preventing them from providing appropriate care and attention to his health concerns [4].
Binance's CEO, Richard Teng, has expressed concern over the situation, alleging that the Nigerian authorities are attempting to manipulate the exchange into doing their bidding by refusing to release Gambaryan [2]. Several U.S. lawmakers have also petitioned President Joe Biden to intervene, but their appeals have not yielded much progress [1].
As of August 2025, there is no recent public information indicating any change in Gambaryan’s legal status—he is no longer detained nor facing charges in Nigeria [1][2][3][5]. The situation continues to attract international attention and pressure from various quarters. The health and well-being of Tigran Gambaryan remain a pressing concern as the legal proceedings continue.
- The ongoing health concerns of Tigran Gambaryan, a key figure in Binance, continue to be a focus of attention amidst his imprisonment in Nigeria.
- The absence of digital assets' regulation in Africa, including Nigeria, has been raised as a concern in the general news as Gambaryan's case progresses.
- The business community and finance sector in Africa and beyond are closely following the legal proceedings of Tigran Gambaryan, with implications for cross-border crypto transactions.
- The arrest and detainment of Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria has cast a shadow on the science and technology industry, particularly on the adoption of blockchain and cryptocurrency in Africa.
- The crime-and-justice landscape in Nigeria and Africa, as well as the world, is under scrutiny as central figures in global finance are affected by questionable legal proceedings, such as those surrounding Tigran Gambaryan.
