Federal Government of Nigeria has refuted claims that Tigran Gambaryan, a US executive of Binance, is experiencing deteriorating health while in custody at Kuje Correctional Service.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, issued a statement on Friday denying the allegations.
“It has become necessary for the Federal Government of Nigeria to address claims that Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan, is being held in unsavoury prison conditions in Nigeria, or that his health is deteriorating. We would like to state that these allegations are false and should be ignored,” Idris stated.
Gambaryan, alongside Binance, is facing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering and foreign exchange contravention.
The minister emphasised that Gambaryan’s detention is based on a court order and that he has access to quality medical care and consular services from his home government.
The ministry stressed that the Federal Government will continue to follow due process in its quest to bring Binance to justice, adhering to legal and diplomatic standards that uphold justice and maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial processes.
Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, had called for his release, backed by two US lawmakers who visited him in detention.
The lawmakers praised Gambaryan’s dedication to fighting money laundering and tax evasion during his tenure as an IRS Special Agent.
In the ongoing trial, a director at the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Abdulkadir Abbas, testified that Binance was not registered to operate in Nigeria.
The case was adjourned until July 1 for further cross-examination.
