The United States government has urged Nigeria to release a senior employee of the global cryptocurrency exchange Binance, who has been imprisoned since February. According to two high-ranking U.S. State Department officials, the arrest of Tigran Gambaryan has escalated into a key issue in the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Gambaryan, a former U.S. law enforcement officer, was arrested while in Nigeria for meetings related to Binance’s business dealings in the country. Nigerian prosecutors have accused Binance of facilitating financial crimes, including tax evasion and money laundering. Though tax charges against Gambaryan have since been dropped, other charges still stand, causing a strain in diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Nigeria.
Reports from U.S. officials reveal that Gambaryan’s health has significantly deteriorated during his detention, according to The New York Times. He has battled malaria and suffers from severe complications linked to a herniated disc, but has allegedly not received adequate medical attention. U.S. diplomats, including Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, have been pressing Nigerian authorities for Gambaryan’s release on humanitarian grounds. Blinken raised the issue with his Nigerian counterpart in May, and U.S. Ambassador Richard M. Mills Jr. has had multiple discussions with Nigerian officials, including President Bola Tinubu, to seek a resolution.
In private meetings with Nigeria’s finance minister, attorney general, and other top officials, U.S. representatives have emphasized the urgency of Gambaryan’s deteriorating health. His family has also expressed concerns about his well-being, highlighting that his condition has worsened due to inadequate medical treatment.
The U.S. State Department is advocating for Gambaryan’s immediate release, arguing that his detention, especially without proper healthcare, violates basic humanitarian rights. However, Nigerian authorities maintain their stance, stating that Gambaryan has access to qualified doctors and that his legal case should proceed through the courts. A representative for the Nigerian government commented that, “the courtroom is the correct forum to assess the merits of any prosecution,” underscoring that the legal process must take its course.
The crux of the Nigerian government’s case against Binance and Gambaryan is tied to claims that the company’s operations have had a negative impact on Nigeria’s economy. Nigerian authorities argue that Binance’s platform enabled users to convert local currency into foreign assets, thereby destabilizing the value of the naira. Binance has denied the allegations, defending Gambaryan as a midlevel employee who should not bear the full responsibility for the company’s actions in the country.
As diplomatic talks continue, the U.S. government remains committed to resolving the situation, calling for Gambaryan’s release on both legal and humanitarian grounds. Nigerian presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga confirmed that discussions between the two countries are ongoing, noting that “the government will do all it can within the law, and also bearing in mind Gambaryan’s humanitarian rights.”
This case has become a critical juncture in U.S.-Nigerian relations, highlighting the challenges of navigating legal complexities in an era of evolving financial technology. With Gambaryan’s health in jeopardy, and the charges against Binance still looming, it remains to be seen how the diplomatic and legal landscape will evolve in the coming months.
