Kenyan and US crypto groups unite to demand release of Binance executive detained in Nigeria

The Nigerian government is currently seeking to extend the Binance executive’s detention for another two weeks.

Since February 26, major cryptocurrency proponents in Kenya and the United States have called on the Nigerian government to release detained Binance executives.

Last month, two Binance executives, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, traveled to Nigeria to address ongoing issues with the exchange’s operations in the African country.

However, instead of engaging in constructive dialogue with them, the Nigerian government detained them without confiscating their passports.

"State-sponsored kidnapping"

This week, the Kenya Blockchain Association met with the Nigerian High Commissioner to express displeasure over the continued detention of Anjarwalla, a dual Kenyan and British citizen. Anjarwalla is also the country manager for Binance Kenya.

According to the association, the Nigerian government’s actions raise concerns about the treatment of individuals who engage in constructive dialogue with authorities. They further stated:

The detention of Nadeem Anjarwalla and his colleagues not only violates the principles of transparency, due process and respect for human rights, but also poses a threat to the advancement of blockchain technology and innovation in our region.

The association therefore demands his immediate release and safe return to his home country.

Likewise, the U.S.-based pro-cryptocurrency Digital Chamber of Commerce has also urged the U.S. government to ensure the immediate release of Gambaryan, a former special agent with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Binance’s head of financial crimes compliance.

According to the group, Gambaryan's detention "appears to be a state-sponsored kidnapping" and a "blatant violation of international law."

The group therefore urges the US government to intervene in the case and ensure the victim's immediate release.

Further detention

Meanwhile, the detained Binance executive may face a longer stay in the African country, as Nigerian authorities are seeking to extend the cryptocurrency executive’s detention for another two weeks.

The matter will be considered on April 5 at a high court in Abuja, the country's capital.

Nigerian authorities have not brought any charges against the executives since their detention. However, the government recently received approval to access the data of all Nigerian Binance users as part of an investigation into the country’s foreign exchange challenges.

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