Binance, a cryptocurrency trading platform, has announced that the revised charges from the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) in the ongoing legal dispute between the federal government and Binance will result in the release of their detained official, Tigran Gambaryan.
The FIRS initially pressed tax default charges against Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, both officials of Binance. However, their legal representatives consistently argued that these individuals were not decision-makers at Binance and therefore should not bear tax liabilities for the company.
In a court session held in Abuja today, the FIRS agreed to amend their charges to target only Binance through its local representative. The new charges allege that, among other tax violations, Binance offered services to Nigerians without deducting Value Added Tax (VAT).
As a result of this development, Binance has stated that Tigran will no longer need to appear in court for the FIRS case, indicating that going forward, Binance will be the sole defendant in the case.
A spokesperson for Binance commented, “This development underscores that both Tigran and Nadeem do not hold decision-making roles at Binance and should not have been detained or charged.”
Yuki Gambaryan, Tigran’s wife, expressed relief at the dropped charges against her husband by the FIRS. She emphasized the unnecessary nature of holding Tigran in custody and urged swift resolution of the EFCC charges against him. Concerns were raised about Tigran’s deteriorating health and the poor conditions he is reportedly enduring while held at Kuje. Yuki urged the U.S. government to intervene more forcefully for Tigran’s immediate release, highlighting the critical situation faced by their family due to his prolonged detention.
The case is set for its next hearing on June 19th, where the application for the enforcement of fundamental rights will be addressed. On June 20th, the EFCC trial is scheduled to proceed.
