A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla against the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court, led by Justice Inyang Ekwo, made this decision because Anjarwalla lacked legal representation during the proceedings.
Anjarwalla accused the NSA and EFCC of violating his rights by detaining him and confiscating his travel documents, referencing Sections 35 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution. His colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, filed a similar lawsuit. However, Anjarwalla’s lawyer, T.J. Krukrubo, from the firm Aluko & Oyebode, withdrew from the case without explanation in March 2024.
Anjarwalla had fled custody despite his travel documents being seized, leaving Gambaryan behind. Nigerian authorities detained both executives in February 2024. Anjarwalla was later reported to be in Kenya, but his wife and some officials disputed this. Gambaryan remains in Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. The court dismissed Anjarwalla’s case due to the lack of diligent prosecution.
Gambaryan’s lawsuit is still active, with a hearing scheduled for July 9, 2024.
In a related tax evasion case by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against Binance, both Anjarwalla and Gambaryan were removed as defendants, leaving Binance as the only defendant. This change came after FIRS recognized Ayodele Omotilewa as Binance’s representative. Binance argued that Gambaryan should not be held accountable in this case, and FIRS agreed.
Despite FIRS’s decision, Gambaryan and Anjarwalla remain named in an EFCC lawsuit against Binance, which includes money laundering allegations. Binance hopes that the EFCC will eventually drop their names from this case as well.
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