The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has set April 8 as the date for ruling on an objection raised by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of Binance Holdings Limited. Gambaryan, represented by his lawyer Mark Mordi, contested the competence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s charge against him.
Gambaryan objected to being arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite, arguing that since the EFCC had not served Binance, listed as the first defendant in the charge, they cannot arraign him. The EFCC had filed a money laundering charge against Binance, Gambaryan, and Nadeem Anjarwalla (currently at large), as the first and third defendants, respectively.
Anjarwalla reportedly fled Nigeria after escaping from custody on March 22. The EFCC lodged a five-count charge on March 28, alleging that the trio was involved in laundering $35,400,000.
During the court session on Thursday, only Gambaryan was present. The EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, informed the court that the arraignment was scheduled, and the defendants had been duly served for their plea.
Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter until April 8 for a ruling and ordered Gambaryan to remain in the EFCC’s custody pending the arraignment.
