A senior official from Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the United States is seeking consular access to Tigran Gambaryan, a detained Binance executive currently held at Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja.
Gambaryan, a US citizen and Binance’s chief of financial crimes compliance, was arrested in February 2024 alongside another executive, Anjarwalla, upon their arrival in Nigeria. The arrests stemmed from an investigation allegedly linking Binance to money laundering and terrorism financing.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a ruling on Gambaryan’s latest bail application for October 9.
Concerns have been raised about Gambaryan’s health, with Binance CEO Richard Teng calling for his release, citing claims of worsening health and inadequate medical care. His family has also alleged that he is being denied access to a wheelchair.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs source, speaking anonymously to Punch, stated that the US is particularly concerned about Gambaryan’s well-being. “I wouldn’t say they are lobbying; they are simply worried about not having access to a US citizen, especially given Binance’s legal issues in the US,” the source said.