Yuki Gambaryan, wife of Tigran, the Binance executive detained in Nigeria, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, to drop the charges against her husband.
Expressing her disappointment with the ongoing legal proceedings in a statement on Thursday, Yuki called on the government of the United States to secure her husband’s release.
“Since the FIRS charges were dropped last week and they agreed to serve those charges solely on Binance, I do not see why the EFCC cannot do the same,” the statement reads.
“It is time for the Nigerian authorities to do the right thing and let my innocent husband go.
“I am also once again calling on the US government to intervene more forcefully. Tigran’s and my own tax dollars get sent to Nigeria in aid every year. Nigeria is supposed to be an ally.
“I refuse to believe that our state department cannot do more to have an innocent American citizen released.”
Meanwhile EFCC, on Thursday continued with its alleged money laundering charge preferred against Gambaryan at a Federal High Court, Abuja.
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The criminal charge continued before Justice Emeka Nwite despite the withdrawal of a charge by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, against Gambaryan in the alleged tax evasion case filed against him and the cryptocurrency exchange platform.
While the EFCC filed a five-count charge against Binance and Gambaryan, FIRS filed a four-count charge against the duo.
The anti-graft agency had accused Binance and Gambaryan of money laundering involving $35.4 million.
Besides, the company was under suspicion of alleged terrorism financing.
Credible News reports that Justice Nwite had, on Friday, discharged the detained Gambaryan and his fleeing colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, from the alleged tax evasion charge.
The judge made the decision in a short ruling following a fresh amended charge filed by the FIRS in view of a notice from Binance about its appointment of a Nigerian representative, Mr Ayodele Omotilewa, to oversee its affairs in tye country.
However, expectations were high prior to today’s proceedings that the anti-graft agency would follow suit.
But at the resumed hearing, the EFCC’s lawyer, informed the court that the matter was slated for the defence to cross-examined the agency’s first prosecution witness Mr Abdulkadir Abbas, a Director with the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC.
Then Gambaryan stepped forward into the dock.
While being cross-examined by counsel for the 1st defendant (Binance), Mr Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, Abbas testified against Binance and Gambaryan.
The witness, who is Director of Registration, Exchanges and Market Infrastructure Department at SEC, stated that a private company that wants to raise capital from the public in Nigeria, must become a Public Limited Company before it can engage in IPO (Initial Public Offer).
He, however, said that Binance did not even registered with his office in the first place.
He said the SEC’s regulations mandated it to oversight on all Bitcoin trading platforms under the Nigeria law.
Justice Nwite adjourned the matter until June 21 for continuation of cross-examination.
Credible News.ng
