The detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, represented by Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian authorities, NSA and EFCC, over his detention.
He was thus reported to be filing a request for the enforcement of his rights with a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Similarly, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance Africa regional manager, who escaped from lawful custody on March 22, has also filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Iyang Ekwo of the same Federal High Court in Abuja.
It was reported that Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, respectively, had sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents.
The lawsuits target the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging violations of fundamental rights. Gambaryan’s application contends that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport infringed on constitutional provisions safeguarding personal liberty.
Among the reliefs sought are his immediate release from custody, the return of his passport, an injunction against further detention regarding any Binance-related investigations, and a public apology from the respondents.
In a statement in support of the suit, he said he is an American citizen who visited Nigeria on February 26, 2024, alongside his fugitive colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, as a representative of Binance, to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria.
Giving an 11-ground argument as to why his application should be granted, he said he and his colleague, Anjarwalla, dutifully attended the meeting.
He said after the meeting, the two of them were detained by the respondents and had remained in detention since then.
He claimed that he did not break any laws during the meeting and that he was not made aware in writing of any other crimes he had done in Nigeria.
Gambaryan’s legal representation was withdrawn during a recent court appearance, which changed the course of the legal procedures. As a result, the case was adjourned until April 8 to give the respondents time to prepare their reply and find new representation.
The judge adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention. Also, upon resumed hearing in Gambaryan’s suit, Krukrubo said though the processes had been served on ONSA and EFCC, they were still within time to respond.
He, therefore, sought an adjourned date, saying the respondent’s time to file their applications would expire next week Thursday.
Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until April 8, 2024, for further mention.
