Legal Blow: Nigerian High Court Rejects Binance Executive's Detention Suit

The Nigerian High Court dismissed a suit filed by Binance regional manager, Nadeem Anjarwalla, as reported by the local press. Anjarwalla claimed that Nigerian government agencies violated his fundamental rights by detaining him and seizing his passport.

Judge Inyang Ekwo dismissed Anjarwalla’s suit against the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on June 19 due to “want of diligent prosecution.” No legal representatives for either Anjarwalla or the respondents appeared in court.

Anjarwalla’s suit, filed on March 28, demanded a declaration that the agencies’ actions were illegal. Binance’s lawyer, Tonye Krukrubo, requested to withdraw from the case at the same time as the filing.

According to the Nigerian financial publication Nairametrics, Krukrubo made the request to allow Anjarwalla to engage other representation. Anjarwalla, who had already escaped prison and fled to Kenya, was not present in court. The court suspended the proceedings until June 19, giving Anjarwalla time to find new representatives.

Anjarwalla maintained in his suit that the government agencies violated Section 35 (1) and (4) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended). He stated:

“The continued detention of the Applicant by the Respondents is causing immense hardship and emotional stress on the Applicant, his wife and children and other members of his family.”

Binance Execs Detained Amid Tax Evasion Charges

Authorities detained Anjarwalla and Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, on February 26. Gambaryan had traveled from the United States to participate in the company’s defense against charges of tax evasion and money laundering.

The cases against Binance have created tension between the United States and Nigeria.

Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, filed a lawsuit against the NSA and EFCC separately from Anjarwalla on the same grounds. Gambaryan’s complaint is scheduled for a hearing on July 9. Krukrubo remains Gambaryan’s representative.

Anjarwalla, who holds dual British and Kenyan citizenship, remains in Kenya while Nigeria works toward his extradition.

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