Binance Executives File Suit Against Nigeria: Local Media

The two Binance executives who have been held as guests of the Nigerian government since arriving in the country in February, have sued the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission for violating their fundamental human rights, local media reported Friday.

In separate filings, Tigran Gambaryan, head of financial crime compliance at the world's largest crypto exchange, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, regional manager for Africa, urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the agencies to release them, return their passports and issue a public apology, Leadership reported, citing the government-owned News Agency of Nigeria.

The two executives were charged alongside the company earlier this month with four counts of tax evasion by Nigerian authorities. They were detained on arrival in the country after being invited to meet officials to discuss issues related to the company. Anjarwalla reportedly escaped last week after being taken to a mosque for prayers. Central bank governor Olayemi Cardoso has said the company enabled the untraceable movement of billions of dollars worth of naira, and contributed to instability in the currency's exchange rate.

At a hearing on Thursday, the agencies were not represented, Punch reported. The matter was adjourned until April 8.

The suits are FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24.