According to Reuters, Nigerian authorities have requested an extension of the detention period for two Binance executives. Binance’s head of compliance for financial crimes, Tigran Gambaryan, and Africa regional director, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were detained upon their arrival in Nigeria following the country’s decision to ban several cryptocurrency trading sites on February 26. They have been detained without being charged with any crime.
Where Will the Investigation Lead?
Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), initially obtained a 14-day order for the detention of the executives to facilitate investigations. However, since the duration of the order expired on Tuesday, the EFCC has requested an extension of their detention from a magistrate’s court in Abuja.
The executives’ legal representatives have contested the extension of their detention, arguing that there is no justification for keeping them in custody. The families of the detained executives are awaiting a hearing scheduled for March 20, where the court will decide on the extension request.
Meanwhile, Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has announced that it is working with Nigerian authorities to secure the release of its executives. Reports indicate that the EFCC has requested data on Binance’s top 100 users in Nigeria, but Binance has not officially commented on the matter.
While the legal process continues, the executives are being held in a protected house in the capital, Abuja. Elahe Anjarwalla, the wife of Nadeem Anjarwalla, has stated that she maintains daily contact with her husband by phone, even if it is in the presence of a law enforcement officer. Despite assurances of communication, restrictions on the executives’ freedom of movement and interaction persist.
