Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance, has initiated legal proceedings against Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Gambaryan filed a lawsuit alleging the violation of his fundamental rights.

In the originating motion filed on March 18 by his lawyer, Olujoke Aliyu from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, the Binance executive sought relief before Justice Inyang Ekwo. Similarly, Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance Africa regional manager who escaped lawful custody on March 22, filed a separate lawsuit before Justice Ekwo to enforce his rights.

Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in their respective suits marked FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as the first and second respondents, seeking the same relief.

Gambaryan, a US citizen responsible for financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, requested a declaration that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport violated Section 35 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended). He argued that this act infringed upon his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Furthermore, he sought an order directing the respondents to release him from their custody and return his international travel passport immediately. Gambaryan also requested a permanent injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further detaining him in relation to any investigation or demands from Binance.

In addition, he demanded a public apology from the respondents and prayed for the full indemnity cost of the legal action.

In the statement supporting his suit, Gambaryan stated that he, along with Anjarwalla, visited Nigeria on February 26 as representatives of Binance to attend a meeting with ONSA and EFCC regarding Binance-related matters in Nigeria. He claimed that after the meeting, both of them were detained by the respondents and had remained in custody since then.

Gambaryan asserted that he had not committed any offense during the meeting and had not been informed in writing of any personal offenses committed in Nigeria. He argued that his detention was solely due to the government’s request for information from Binance and its demands on the company. He clarified that he was not a member of Binance’s Board of Directors.

During the court proceedings, T.J. Krukrubo, SAN, appeared as legal representation for Anjarwalla and Gambaryan. Krukrubo informed the court that although the respondents had been served two days prior, they were not present in court. He also mentioned their notice of withdrawal of legal representation for Anjarwalla, filed on March 26, without providing further details regarding the withdrawal.

Justice Ekwo acknowledged the withdrawal of legal representation and adjourned the matter until April 8 to allow the applicants to seek new legal representation and provide the respondents an opportunity to appear in court.

In Gambaryan’s case, Krukrubo stated that although the processes had been served on ONSA and EFCC, they still had time to respond. He requested an adjourned date, noting that the respondents’ time to file their applications would expire the following week. The judge consequently adjourned the matter until April 8 for further mention.