A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the United States is advocating for consular access to Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance, currently held at the Kuje custodial centre in Abuja.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and Binance’s financial crimes compliance officer, was arrested in February 2024 along with another executive upon their arrival in Nigeria. Their arrest is believed to be linked to an investigation into alleged money laundering and financing of terrorism involving Binance.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja is scheduled to make a ruling on a new bail application filed by Gambaryan’s attorneys on October 9.
Concerns regarding Gambaryan’s health have surfaced, with Binance’s CEO advocating for his release due to reported health issues and insufficient medical care. Gambaryan’s family has also claimed he has been denied access to a wheelchair.
An anonymous source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the U.S. is particularly worried about Gambaryan’s health, especially since the family has publicly raised the matter in the U.S. The source stated, “I cannot say they are lobbying; they are simply concerned that they have not been granted access to him as a U.S. citizen.”
In response, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, a retired Nigerian Ambassador, affirmed that the U.S. request for consular access is justified but emphasizes the importance of respecting Nigeria’s legal process. He noted, “Nigeria does not interfere when Nigerians are arrested for criminal activities in the U.S. We allow the U.S. legal system to proceed without interference.”
Ambassador Rasheed Akinkuolie, a retired Consul, highlighted the essential role of embassies in safeguarding the rights of their citizens detained abroad. He remarked, “It is the right of every embassy to access detained nationals in a foreign country, regardless of the offense.” Akinkuolie emphasized that embassy involvement can lead to better treatment for detainees, as host countries tend to handle cases with greater caution when embassies are engaged.
