Court Rejects Gambaryan’s Detention Suit Against EFCC, NSA

A Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Tigran Gambaryan, former Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). Justice Umar Mohammed ruled on November 27, 2025, that the court could not interfere with ongoing investigations into foreign exchange violations and money laundering allegations against the cryptocurrency platform. The judge described the application as an abuse of court processes, noting Gambaryan provided no evidence of prosecutorial immunity. ​

Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, sought compensation for periods of alleged unlawful detention from February 26 to 27, 2024, and March 12 to April 8, 2024, claiming emotional distress to his family. EFCC counsel Olanrewaju Adeola argued the detention was lawful under a remand order and tied to criminal charges (FHC/ABJ/CR/138/2024) pending before Justice Emeka Nwite. The court affirmed that fundamental rights are not absolute and upheld the agencies’ investigative mandates amid Binance-related probes. ​

Case Background

Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and Binance Africa Regional Manager Nadeem Anjarwalla in late February 2024 following invitations for meetings on cryptocurrency regulations. Anjarwalla escaped custody in March 2024, while Gambaryan faced charges of money laundering, tax evasion, and FX infractions totaling millions, later amended to target Binance alone. Gambaryan was released earlier on health grounds after suffering conditions like malaria during incarceration at Kuje Correctional Centre. ​

1.EFCC accused Binance of unlicensed operations and naira manipulation amid the currency’s 50% value loss.

2.Gambaryan’s suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/356/2024) followed failed bail bids labeling him a flight risk.

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3.Proceedings adjourned multiple times, with judgment fixed since October 2025. ​

The ruling reinforces Nigeria’s regulatory stance on crypto platforms amid broader scrutiny since early 2024. ​