BREAKING: Court Discharges Binance Executives Anjarwalla, Gambaryan

The Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged Tigran Gambaryan, a 39-year-old American, and Nadeem Anjarwalla in a case involving alleged tax evasion.

Both executives of the cryptocurrency exchange platform Binance were taken to court by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on allegations of tax evasion.

The court’s decision followed the FIRS filing amended charges after Binance appointed Ayodele Omotilewa as its Nigerian representative.

Previously, Gambaryan and Anjarwalla faced a four-count charge brought by the Nigerian government, presided over by Judge Emeka Nwite.

Although Binance had no legal representation in court, Gambaryan appeared to have the charges read to him. His counsel, Chukwuka Ikwazuonu, argued that his client had not been served with the charge and it was premature to proceed without understanding the charges.

FIRS prosecutor Moses Ideho explained that service of the charge had not been possible due to lack of access to the defendant. The court then ordered the charge to be served in open court and adjourned the arraignment of Gambaryan to April 19.

In a related case by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), counsel E.E. Iheanacho confirmed that Gambaryan had been served with the charge. However, Mark Mordi, representing Binance, argued that the company had not been served, preventing the arraignment from proceeding. Mordi insisted that each defendant must be served individually, and Gambaryan could not accept service on behalf of Binance.

The prosecutor maintained that Gambaryan, as a top official of Binance, was an appropriate representative for the company. Alternatively, the court could enter a not guilty plea for Binance to proceed with the case.