Detained Binance Executive Asserts Innocence in Court
Tigran Gambaryan, a detained executive of Binance, entered a plea of not guilty to four counts of money laundering charges in Nigeria, as reported by local sources.
Gambaryan, who was arrested in Nigeria in late February, asserted his innocence during a courtroom appearance on April 8, as per the local news agency Peoples Gazette.
During the hearing, Gambaryan maintained that he should not be held accountable for Binance's operations in Nigeria, emphasizing his lack of decision-making authority within the company's business operations. His lawyer, Chukwuka Ikuazom, further argued that Gambaryan, despite being served with charges intended for his absent colleague, could not plead on his behalf.
However, Judge Emeka Nwite dismissed Gambaryan's argument, stating that he had acted as Binance's representative during previous visits to Nigeria, thereby subjecting him to the country's laws.
The judge remarked, "A person who has no physical presence in Nigeria but has a physical agent in Nigeria can be duly served through that agent."
In summary, Gambaryan's plea of not guilty and the legal proceedings underscore the complexities surrounding his involvement with Binance's activities in Nigeria, with the court emphasizing the application of local laws to individuals representing the company.