The Nigerian court considered the complaint of the top manager of the compliance team of the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. A high-ranking official came to settle charges brought by the authorities of an African country against the trading platform, but was detained.

Tigran Gambaryan refused to admit charges of tax evasion and money laundering amounting to $35 million, which local law enforcement officers brought against him personally. The lawyer of Binance top manager Mark Mordy announced that the employee cannot and should not be held criminally liable for the operation of the exchange in Nigeria.

However, Judge Emeka Nwite rejected the defense's arguments, saying that Tigran Gambaryan had participated in training for local officials during his past trips as a Binance official.

The crypto exchange employee will be held at Kuje Prison, a high-security detention center in the capital Abuja, until April 18. On April 18, the next court hearing is scheduled to be held, where a decision will be made on whether the top manager of the exchange can be released on bail.

Previously detained in Nigeria since the end of February 2024, Tigran Ghambaryan filed a claim for violation of his rights against Nigeria's National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribad and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).