The U.S. government is escalating pressure on the Nigerian government to release Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who has been detained in Nigeria since February 2024. Gambaryan, a former U.S. law enforcement officer, was arrested during a business trip to Nigeria and faces charges of tax evasion and money laundering. However, his prolonged detention and deteriorating health have raised alarms, sparking diplomatic efforts for his release.
Gambaryan is reportedly suffering from severe health issues, including malaria, a herniated disk, and inadequate medical care during his time in detention. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, alongside other senior officials, has voiced concerns over Gambaryan’s health and has directly addressed the matter with Nigerian officials, including President Bola Tinubu. Blinken has emphasized the need for Gambaryan’s release on humanitarian grounds, stressing the urgency of his worsening condition.
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U.S. lawmakers have also taken action, visiting Gambaryan in prison and advocating for his immediate release. The situation has strained diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Nigeria, with Gambaryan’s family and Binance CEO Richard Teng publicly calling for his release. There is growing speculation that the U.S. may label Gambaryan as “wrongfully detained,” a designation that could intensify the diplomatic and legal pressure on Nigeria to act.
As tensions rise, the U.S. continues to push for Gambaryan’s freedom, while the Nigerian government has yet to respond publicly to the mounting calls for his release. The case remains a critical test of U.S.-Nigeria relations moving forward.
