Nigeria’s Federal Government has denied claims of poor prison conditions for Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan, asserting he receives quality medical care and complete consular services, emphasizing adherence to lawful trial and judicial integrity.

The rebuttal statement was issued on Friday, June 21, by Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation.

Idris’ statement comes on the heels of a recent post by two United States Members of Congress, Representative French Hill (Republican) and Representative Chrissy Houlahan (Democrat), who visited Gambaryan at the Kuje Detention facility on June 19th, 2024 and posted a video of the visit on X calling for his release.

The statement

In his statement, Idris emphasized that Gambaryan’s detention is grounded in a court order, and only the court can alter the terms or direct his release. The minister clarified that Gambaryan has access to necessary healthcare services despite being in lawful custody.

“It has become necessary for the Federal Government of Nigeria to address claims that Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan is being held in unsavory prison conditions in Nigeria or that his health is deteriorating. We would like to state that these allegations are false and should be ignored.”

The minister emphasized that Gambaryan enjoys full consular support from his home government. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting his basic rights, including access to quality healthcare and a fair trial, as he faces legal proceedings in Nigeria.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to follow due process in its quest to bring Binance to justice — a legitimate sovereign quest that is similarly being pursued in several other countries worldwide.”

U.S. lawmakers back Gambaryan's release

Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki, has appealed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to follow the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) example and release her husband, citing the FIRS’s recent withdrawal of charges as a precedent.

The U.S. lawmakers backed her, saying Tigran has devoted his professional life to fighting money laundering and tax evasion. According to them, he spent ten years as an IRS Special Agent and has successfully led cyber and financial crime investigations.

During the June 21 hearing, Abdulkadir Abbas, a director at the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), resumed his testimony in the EFCC’s case against Binance and Gambaryan, reiterating that Binance had not obtained the necessary registration to operate in Nigeria.

The case has been adjourned to July 1 for continuation of cross-examination.

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