Former IRS Chief of Investigations, Richard Weber, has voiced his concern over the prolonged detention of Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria, following a trade dispute between the Nigerian government and Binance Limited. Weber, who is deeply troubled by the situation, recently shared his thoughts during an appearance on the podcast “Illicit Edge’s ‘Designated’.”
Weber expressed dismay over the living conditions Gambaryan is enduring in Nigeria’s Kuje prison, a facility notorious for housing dangerous criminals, including terrorists. He emphasized the stark contrast between Gambaryan’s background and those of the individuals he is imprisoned alongside, describing the situation as unjust.
“It’s appalling that someone like Tigran, a former law enforcement official and dedicated public servant, who was simply working as a mid-level employee at a cryptocurrency company to resolve compliance issues, is now behind bars in a facility filled with hardened criminals,” Weber said during the podcast.
“Tigran Gambaryan is essentially being held hostage. He has committed no crime, yet he’s languishing in prison for over 200 days—almost eight months—and no one seems to have a clear understanding of what he is accused of. I doubt even the Nigerian authorities know why they are holding him.”
Weber, who previously held a high-ranking position in U.S. law enforcement, urged the United States government to intervene in the matter. He called on them to ensure Gambaryan’s release, allowing him to return to his family in California, where his wife Yuki and their two young children await his return.
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Gambaryan’s detention dates back to February 2024, when he traveled to Nigeria at the invitation of the authorities.
However, what was initially supposed to be a routine business trip escalated into his arrest, reportedly tied to the Nigerian government’s ongoing case against Binance, which involves allegations of tax evasion and money laundering.
While Gambaryan remains imprisoned, one of his colleagues, Nardeem Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan national, managed to flee Nigeria using a second passport.
Weber’s commentary sheds light on the plight of Gambaryan, who has now spent over seven months in detention without formal charges. He argues that the Nigerian government is using Gambaryan as a pawn in a broader dispute with Binance, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, and that his prolonged detention is unwarranted.
The case against Binance in Nigeria has been fraught with legal battles, with accusations centered on money laundering and tax evasion.
As the Nigerian government continues its investigation, Weber’s call for Gambaryan’s release underscores the complex intersection of international business, law enforcement, and diplomatic relations.
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Despite the mounting pressure from figures like Weber, there has been no official response from either the Nigerian government or Binance regarding Gambaryan’s continued detention.
Tigran Gambaryan has reported a sharp decline in his health while in Nigerian custody, suffering from pneumonia twice, malaria, and complications from herniated discs.
In a video from his recent court appearance, he appeared barely able to walk, raising concerns from U.S. authorities and his family. However, Nigerian officials have downplayed his health issues, claiming they are exaggerated. Despite these growing concerns, the dispute over Gambaryan’s health continues.