The Nigerian government has rejected recent claims that Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan is being held in poor conditions in Kuje Prison, Abuja.
Mohammed Idris, the Nigeria minister for Information, spoke out after two U.S. lawmakers visited Gambaryan in jail.
It has become necessary for the Federal Government of Nigeria to address claims that Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan is being held in unsavory prison conditions in Nigeria or that his health is deteriorating. We would like to state that these allegations are false and should be ignored.
The minister’s statement serves as a direct response to claims made by U.S. Representatives French Hill and Chrissy Houlahan, who called for Gambaryan’s release after their June 19th visit. The lawmakers highlighted Gambaryan’s background as a former IRS Special Agent with a decade of experience in fighting financial crimes.
The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to follow due process in its quest to bring Binance to justice — a legitimate sovereign quest that is similarly being pursued in several other countries around the world
The minister further stressed that Nigeria is following the law in its case against Binance, noting that other countries are also investigating the company. He said Nigeria will continue to respect Gambaryan’s rights, including his right to a fair trial.
Meanwhile, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, has appealed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release her husband, citing the recent withdrawal of charges by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as a precedent.
The case against Binance and Gambaryan continues to unfold, with Abdulkadir Abbas, a director at the Security and Exchange Commission, testifying that Binance lacked proper registration to operate in Nigeria. The next hearing is scheduled for July 1.
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