The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) of Nigeria has dropped tax charges against Binance executives Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla.
The FIRS accepted to amend the charges so that the sole entity recognized would be the cryptocurrency exchange itself, acting through a local representative.
Due to his current illness, Gambaryan will not be required to appear in court in the FIRS case; Binance is currently the only defendant. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is still carrying out a money-laundering inquiry against the two executives.
Binance has been attempting to persuade Nigerian authorities that Gambaryan should not be required to represent the company in court and should be freed as he lacks decision-making authority within the company. In February, Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were placed under arrest as the country looked into the activities of the exchange. However, Anjarwalla absconded not long after they were arrested.
Nigeria eventually filed charges against the executives and Binance on allegations of tax evasion and money laundering.
A family representative stated in an email on Friday that “this goes to show that both Tigran and Nadeem are not decision makers at Binance, and should never have been detained and charged.” Anjarwalla served as a director for Binance’s African operations, while Gambaryan in charge of the company’s financial crime compliance.
“Where the application for an order for the enforcement of fundamental rights will be heard,” according to the statement, is June 19 at the next hearing on the money-laundering case. On June 20, the trial is scheduled to continue. Gambaryan remains in custody in the Kuje prison.
A representative for Binance stated in an email, “In order for Tigran to be allowed to go home to his family, we are hopeful that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will take similar steps.
“Tigran has been detained for 110 days, and his physical health is deteriorating, including a recent malaria and pneumonia diagnosis. Binance is committed to continuing to work with the Nigerian government to resolve this.”
Malaria caused Gambaryan to pass out in court on May 23, according to a family spokesperson’s statement. “Conditions have worsened and Tigran now has pneumonia.”
The CEO wasn’t taken to the hospital by prison officials till after 11 days since Justice Emeka Nwite issued an order to do so, according to the spokeswoman. The executive’s family are to receive the results of the brief checkup.
“We really need the U.S. government to intervene more forcefully for the immediate release of an innocent American citizen. “This has gone on too long and Tigran’s life is at risk.”
Yuki Gambaryan, Tigran’s wife said.
