Tigran Gambaryan, a high-ranking executive of Binance, has left Nigeria after spending eight months in detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The departure followed the abrupt withdrawal of charges against him by the Nigerian government, which was prompted by health concerns and diplomatic intervention.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously arraigned Tigran alongside Binance Holdings Limited on charges of tax evasion, currency speculation, and money laundering involving $34.4 million. However, on Wednesday, the EFCC prosecutor informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that the government had decided to discontinue the charges against Gambaryan, citing his status as a mere employee of Binance and various critical diplomatic considerations.
“The government has reviewed the case and, taken into consideration that the second defendant (Mr. Gambaryan) is an employee of the first defendant (Binance Holdings Limited), whose status in the matter has more impact than the second defendant’s, and also taking into consideration some critical international and diplomatic reasons, the state seeks to discontinue the case against the second defendant,” the prosecutor stated.
Gambaryan was released from Kuje prison on Wednesday night and left Nigeria the following day. In a statement on behalf of the family, his wife, Yuki Gambaryan, expressed relief and gratitude, saying, “The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release, or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family.”
She also thanked the U.S. government for its efforts in securing her husband’s release, adding that the family is looking forward to his recovery and reunion with their children.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, had been detained since his arrest in April, marking a turbulent period that saw his health deteriorate significantly while in custody. His family and legal team are now focusing on his recovery following his return home.
