Joe Biden Thanks Nigeria’s President Tinubu for Securing Release of Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan

• Biden expressed gratitude to Tinubu for facilitating Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan’s release, citing humanitarian reasons.
• Gambaryan’s detention in Nigeria and severe health issues drew attention; charges were dropped on October 23 for humanitarian grounds.
• A new U.S.-Nigeria Bilateral Liaison Group on Illicit Finance aims to enhance efforts in combating cyber and financial crimes.

In a diplomatic exchange, U.S. President Joe Biden conveyed appreciation to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for his role in securing the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a high-ranking Binance executive and former U.S. law enforcement officer. 

Gambaryan, along with another Binance executive, was detained in Nigeria in February on accusations related to alleged unlawful financial activities connected with Binance. The White House disclosed that Biden expressed gratitude during a phone conversation with Tinubu last week. The call also covered broader topics, including U.S.-Nigeria cooperation on financial crimes.

Tigran Gambaryan’s Health Struggles in Detention

Gambaryan, who serves as Binance’s head of financial crime compliance and is a former Internal Revenue Service agent, faced considerable health challenges while detained. His family reported that he experienced debilitating pain due to a herniated disc, coupled with pneumonia and malaria, leaving him unable to walk. 

Notably, his fellow executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, escaped from custody in March after being held on similar charges. Criminal allegations were initially lodged against both executives on February 28, though Nigeria’s government ultimately dropped charges against Gambaryan on October 23, citing humanitarian grounds.

The White House indicated that Biden acknowledged Tinubu’s leadership in prioritizing humanitarian concerns during Gambaryan’s release. This case has drawn attention due to Gambaryan’s health struggles and the serious nature of the accusations surrounding Binance’s operations in Nigeria.

New Bilateral Efforts on Cybercrime and Financial Oversight

Biden also discussed the recent launch of the Bilateral Liaison Group on Illicit Finance and Cryptocurrencies between the U.S. and Nigeria. This initiative, operational as of October 23, aims to enhance cooperation in cybercrime investigations, specifically focusing on cryptocurrency misuse and related financial crimes.

In the conversation, Biden highlighted the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) role in collaborating with Nigerian officials to pursue cybercrime investigations with renewed rigor. The group’s formation is a step forward in aligning both countries’ efforts in addressing digital financial crimes.