The tax evasion trial of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, being held in Nigeria, took an unexpected turn when he failed to show up in court. This time, it raised concerns about his physical safety, given the notorious conditions of Kuje prison, where he is being held.
![Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan Fails to Appear in Court, Raising Concerns About His Safety in Kuje Prison Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan Fails to Appear in Court, Raising Concerns About His Safety in Kuje Prison](/uploads/2024/05/23/cryptocurrencies-news/articles/binance-executive-tigran-gambaryan-fails-court-raising-concerns-safety-kuje-prison/image-1.jpg)
Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan did not appear in a Nigerian court for his tax evasion trial, raising concerns about his physical safety due to the poor conditions at Kuje prison, where he is being held.
The Nigerian Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has accused Binance and its executives, including Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, of tax evasion. Binance is alleged to have failed to register with the FIRS and issue invoices for services on its platform that would attract taxes, resulting in the company evading significant taxes.
The trial, which was scheduled for May 22, was adjourned to June 14 after Gambaryan failed to appear in court. The prosecution counsel, Moses Idehu, lamented the failure of the prison service to produce Gambaryan, highlighting the continued embarrassment that the Nigerian government is facing over this saga. The defence counsel, Chukwuka Ikwuazo (SAN), applied for an adjournment, promising to produce Gambaryan at the next hearing.
Gambaryan is currently being detained at Kuje prison, which is known for its poor living conditions and security breaches, such as an attack by Islamic militants in 2022. His absence from the court raised serious concerns about his physical safety, given the harsh conditions in the prison.
This case is part of a broader crackdown on cryptocurrency activities in Nigeria. Binance is facing a four-count charge for failing to register with the FIRS and evading taxes. Gambaryan and Anjarwalla are also accused of laundering over $35 million, and a separate money laundering trial is scheduled to proceed.
The court adjourned the matter to June 14 for Binance and Gambaryan’s possible arraignment. As the case continues, concerns are being raised about Gambaryan's safety and the implications of a wider crypto regulation in Nigeria.
Binance's CEO Richard Teng has criticized Nigeria's approach, stating, “The detention of executives at the invitation of the country’s government sets a dangerous precedent.” Binance has been actively engaging with the relevant authorities in Nigeria to address these issues and ensure compliance with local regulations.
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