Nigerian Court Adjourns Binance Tax Evasion Case Amid Executive Absences

Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of Binance, face prosecution for tax evasion and money laundering at the federal high court in Abuja

A Nigerian court has postponed a tax evasion case against Binance and two of its executives to next month, awaiting the possible arraignment of the cryptocurrency exchange. The delay on Wednesday was due to the absence of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance's head of financial crime compliance and a U.S. citizen, whose presence was required but unexplainedly missing.

Last Friday, an Abuja court ruled that Gambaryan could stand trial on behalf of Binance in the tax evasion case. The CEO of Binance, Richard Teng, had previously criticized Nigeria for setting a "dangerous precedent" after the detention of its executives during a crypto crackdown. Binance is contesting charges of tax evasion and money laundering.

The charges include four counts of tax evasion, notably the failure to register with Nigeria's Federal Inland Revenue Service. Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance's regional manager for Africa and a British-Kenyan, is also implicated. Anjarwalla escaped custody in March but remains listed on the case. His absence, without being officially declared 'at large,' could further stall the trial, as Nigerian law requires all parties to be served before proceedings can continue, according to Gambaryan's lawyer, Chukwuka Ikwuazom.

Moses Ideho, the revenue service's lawyer, indicated that Nigeria's prison service was responsible for producing Gambaryan in court but did not provide an explanation for his absence.

Judge Emeka Nwite adjourned the possible arraignment of Binance and Gambaryan to June 14. In addition to the tax evasion case, Binance and its executives face money laundering charges exceeding $35 million, with a trial scheduled for Thursday.

Binance has stated it is cooperating with Nigerian authorities following Gambaryan's detention.