Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan has sued the national security adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged violation of his fundamental rights.
Gambaryan has been in detention for weeks in Abuja. His colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, who was detained alongside him, escaped from lawful custody on March 22.
Gambaryan, in the originating motion filed on March 18 by his lawyer Olujoke Aliyu, sought five reliefs before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, filed a separate right enforcement suit before Justice Ekwo.
Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, in his application, sought a declaration that his detention and seizure of his travel passport, contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of 1999 Constitution (As Amended).
He said the act amounted to a violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by the constitution.
He also sought an order directing the respondents to release him from their custody and return his passport with immediate effect.
Gambaryan equally sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and agents from further detaining him in relation to any investigation into or demands from Binance.
The official, who sought an order for the respondents to issue a public apology to him, also prayed for the cost of this action on a full indemnity basis.
NSA confirms escape of detained Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla, arrests personnel
In a statement in support of the suit, he said he is an American citizen who visited Nigeria on February 26, along with fleeing Anjarwalla, as a representative of Binance, to honour the invitation of the NSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria.
Giving 11-ground argument why his application should be granted, he said that he and his colleague, Anjarwalla, dutifully attended the meeting.
He said after the meeting the two of them were detained by the respondents and had remained in detention since then.
He said he did not commit any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time.
“The only reason for his detention is because the government is requesting information from Binance and making demands on the company,” he said, adding that he is not a member of the board of directors of Binance.
When the two suits were called on Thursday, T.J. Krukrubo (SAN) appeared for Anjarwalla and Gambaryan.
Krukrubo notified the court of the notice of withdrawal of legal representation for Anjarwalla filed on March 26.
The judge adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention.
