Nigerian Court Dismisses Binance Exec’s Detention Suit
3 min readThe Nigerian High Court has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Nadeem Anjarwalla, a regional manager for Binance, according to local news sources. Anjarwalla had claimed that Nigerian government agencies violated his fundamental rights by detaining him and seizing his passport. Judge Inyang Ekwo decided on June 19 to throw out Anjarwalla’s suit against the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) due to a “want of diligent prosecution.” Neither Anjarwalla nor the respondents had legal representatives present in court.
Anjarwalla filed his lawsuit on March 28, seeking a declaration that the actions of the government agencies were illegal. At the same time, Binance’s lawyer, Tonye Krukrubo, requested to withdraw from the case. According to Nigerian financial news, he did this so that Anjarwalla could find other legal representation. By that point, Anjarwalla was not in court as he had already escaped from prison and fled to Kenya. The court adjourned the proceedings until June 19 to allow Anjarwalla to appoint new legal representatives.
In his lawsuit, Anjarwalla argued that the actions of the government agencies breached Section 35 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended. He claimed that his continued detention was causing severe hardship and emotional distress for himself, his wife, his children, and other family members. The suit is indicative of a larger conflict involving Anjarwalla and the Nigerian authorities.
Anjarwalla, along with Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, was detained on February 26. Gambaryan had traveled to Nigeria from the United States to assist in the company’s defense against allegations of tax evasion and money laundering. These cases against Binance have complicated relations between the United States and Nigeria. On grounds similar to Anjarwalla’s, Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, also filed a separate lawsuit against the NSA and the EFCC. Gambaryan’s legal complaint is set for hearing on July 9, with Krukrubo continuing as his legal representative.
Anjarwalla is a dual citizen of Britain and Kenya and has remained in Kenya while Nigeria works toward his extradition. This situation underscores the ongoing legal battles facing Binance and its executives and highlights the tensions between international jurisdictions over the movement and detention of individuals accused of financial crimes.
The legal wrangling has cast a shadow over Binance’s operations in the region, raising questions about the company’s compliance with financial regulations. As Binance navigates these turbulent waters, the cases against its executives serve as a reminder of the challenges global companies face when entangled in legal disputes across multiple nations.
The Nigerian authorities are likely to persist in their efforts to extradite Anjarwalla, which will continue to test diplomatic relations and legal frameworks. It remains to be seen how Anjarwalla and Binance will respond in the coming months and whether any resolution will be reached that balances the legal and diplomatic intricacies involved.
For now, the spotlight remains on the upcoming hearing of Gambaryan’s case and the broader implications it has for Binance’s future in Nigeria and possibly other regions. The unfolding legal saga continues to capture the attention of both local and international observers.
A very complex situation, but the court’s action seems fair. Looking forward to more developments.
What an extraordinary case! It’s clear that the Nigerian High Court is handling this with the seriousness it deserves.
True justice in action! The dismissal is one part of a larger puzzle. On to the next chapter! 📖🇳🇬
The whole situation with Anjarwalla and Binance is a legal nightmare. It certainly doesn’t inspire any confidence in the judicial system here. 😤
Wow, what a dramatic turn of events! Hopefully justice is served fairly for all involved.
Anjarwalla’s claims of emotional distress and hardships for his family don’t justify his escape. Running to Kenya makes the entire case look suspicious. 🤔
Binance’s legal mess in Nigeria is a slap in the face for investors. 💸 How can anyone feel secure doing business with them under such circumstances?
So many moving parts in this case, it’s a real thriller! Hoping for a fair resolution.
The Nigerian High Court throwing out this case is just another example of how big names and corporations can evade justice. 🌐💔 Where’s the accountability?
So intriguing! This legal battle has so many implications for international finance.
It’s impressive how the legal system manages such high-stakes international cases!
The intrigue keeps building! These legal battles are crucial for setting precedents in international finance.
Very interesting development! I’m curious to see how this impacts Binance’s future operations in Nigeria. 🌍📈
It’s disturbing that neither side had proper legal representation. This screams of negligence from all parties involved. How can we trust the legal system here?
Major props to Judge Ekwo for a decisive move. Can’t wait to see the next update. 🏛️📜
This is really disappointing. The case getting dismissed for ‘want of diligent prosecution’ feels like a complete failure of justice. How can they just let this slide?
The Nigerian High Court needs to do better. How does a high-profile case like this just get dismissed due to a lack of diligence? 🤦♀️ Unacceptable!
The decision to dismiss the lawsuit is a huge development. Lets see how this plays out for all parties involved.
Big move by the High Court! Im eager to see how this proceeds.
The story just keeps getting more interesting! Kudos to the High Court for making a decisive call. ⚖️👌
The High Court’s decision to throw out the lawsuit is quite the headline! Legal battles like these show just how complex global finance can be.
Nadeem Anjarwalla running away from this situation doesn’t exactly scream innocence. If he’s guilty, he should face the consequences. 🤷♂️
I can’t wait to see what happens next with Gambaryan’s legal battle. This is a case to watch!
The legal complexities here are next-level! Great move by Judge Ekwo to make a clear decision.
The dismissal of the lawsuit adds another layer to this fascinating case. Truly global in scope! 🌍📚
Looks like the court made a sound decision. Curious to see what happens next for Anjarwalla and Binance. ⚖️🇳🇬
The legal saga continues! This case is a reminder of the complexities facing multinational companies. 📜🌍💹
Amazing how intricate international legal processes can be! Kudos to the Nigerian High Court.