Nigeria’s crypto crackdown: U.S. Congress pushes for Binance exec’s release from Nigerian prison

U.S. lawmakers have introduced a resolution calling for the immediate release of Tigran Gambaryan, the Binance executive who has been detained in Nigeria since February 2024, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Binance-Nigeria saga.

Driving the news

• Representatives Patrick McHenry and French Hill submitted House Resolution 1348 on July 10, urging the Nigerian government to free Gambaryan and pressing the U.S. government to formally declare him as "wrongfully detained."
• The resolution details Gambaryan's deteriorating health conditions and alleged violations of due process, painting a grim picture of his four-month detention.
• It also calls on Nigeria to provide full consular access and unrestricted medical care to Gambaryan while he remains in custody.

Go Deeper

The resolution includes several concerning details about Gambaryan’s detention:

• Initial detainment: On February 26, Gambaryan was invited to Nigeria for meetings, but was subsequently detained without access to family, attorneys, or the U.S. embassy for 5 days.
• Legal ambiguity: From March 12 to April 5, there was allegedly no valid court order for Gambaryan's detention, raising questions about its legality.
• Prison conditions: On April 5, Gambaryan was transferred to Kuje Prison, known for its harsh conditions.
• Health concerns: Gambaryan has tested positive for malaria. Despite a court order on May 23 for hospital admission, he was only given a 5-hour hospital visit on June 4 before being returned to prison.
• Legal maneuvering: Nigerian officials have openly stated in court that Gambaryan is being held as leverage against Binance, with the Information Minister quoted as saying, “They [Binance] have committed a crime”.
• Consular restrictions: Throughout his detention, Gambaryan has been unable to speak privately with his attorneys, family, or U.S. embassy staff.

What they’re saying

• The resolution states:

“The Government of Nigeria is wrongfully detaining Tigran Gambaryan [...] in order to extort Binance.”

• Yuki Gambaryan, wife of the detained Binance executive, said in a statement shared with Mariblock:

“I hope the US government’s involvement will expedite the process of getting him released,” she said. "My husband is innocent, he is not a decision-maker at Binance and I hope the Nigerian authorities release him”

She urged the EFCC to follow the FIRS's example and drop the charges against Tigran.

Context

This development follows our previous reports on Gambaryan’s deteriorating health and the ongoing legal battle between Binance and Nigerian authorities:

• On July 2, we reported that despite a court order, Gambaryan had not been allowed to leave Kuje prison for medical treatment.
• Earlier, on May 28, we covered Gambaryan’s wife’s plea for proper medical care as he battled malaria and a throat infection.

What’s next

The resolution urges swift action by mid-July when Nigerian courts typically recess until September.

• If unresolved, Gambaryan could face an extended period of detention without further hearings.

💭 Oluwaseun’s views

This House resolution marks the latest in a series of interventions by U.S. lawmakers in the Binance-Nigeria case.

• As noted in our Binance vs. Nigeria timeline coverage, 12 U.S. lawmakers petitioned President Joe Biden to secure Gambaryan’s release on June 4.
• This escalation from a petition to a formal House resolution indicates growing concern in the U.S. Congress about the case. It also suggests that previous diplomatic efforts may not have yielded the desired results.
• However, it’s important to note that while such international attention can be influential, the Nigerian judicial system retains authority over the case’s outcome.
• The detention of Binance executives after being invited for talks raises concerns about Nigeria’s business environment, regulatory consistency, and enforcement transparency.
• While the government may be pursuing legitimate penalties, the manner of enforcement could have far-reaching consequences.
• The potential damage to Nigeria’s reputation and investor trust may outweigh any short-term gains from these actions, potentially deterring future foreign investment and economic opportunities.

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Mariblock has published a Nigeria vs. Binance timeline of events report related to this story. You can get the complete backstory there.