Detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan pleaded not guilty to four counts of money laundering charges in Nigeria, according to local reports.

After being arrested in Nigeria in late February, Gambaryan proclaimed his innocence in a courtroom on April 8, the local news agency Peoples Gazette reported.

At the hearing, Gambaryan reiterated that he should not be held responsible for Binance’s activities in Nigeria because he does not have decision-making authority in the company’s business operations.

Gambaryan’s lawyer, Chukwuka Ikuazom, also contested that his client, even though served with charges of his escaped colleague, could not enter a plea on his behalf.

Judge Emeka Nwite rejected Gambaryan’s argument and ruled that he acted as Binance’s representative in past trips to Nigeria, citing local laws.

“A person who has no physical presence in Nigeria but has a physical agent in Nigeria can be duly served through that agent,” the Judge reportedly stated.

This is a developing story, and further information will be added as it becomes available.