Binance Executive’s Trial Delayed Again in Nigerian Money Laundering Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria has postponed the trial of Tigran Gambaryan, an executive at cryptocurrency exchange Binance, until May 17th. Gambaryan, along with his company Binance Holdings Limited and another executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, face charges of money laundering exceeding $35 million.

The delay comes after Gambaryan’s defense lawyer, Tony Krukrubo, informed the court they had not received additional evidence from the prosecution. The court bailiff, however, contradicted this claim, stating that Gambaryan refused to accept service of the documents at Kuje prison on April 30th. Gambaryan reportedly requested the documents be served on Binance Holdings Limited’s legal counsel.

Justice Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, ordered the documents served on Binance’s lawyer in court. Following service, the trial was adjourned until May 17th.

This is not the first time the trial has been delayed. In April, Gambaryan’s request for bail was denied after his lawyer, Mark Mordi, argued that his client’s extended detention without family visits constituted “torture.” The prosecution countered by emphasising flight risk concerns, citing Anjarwalla’s escape and Gambaryan’s alleged attempt to obtain a new US passport while in custody.

The case has drawn international attention due to Gambaryan’s dual US-Armenian citizenship and the potential diplomatic implications. The ongoing delays and disputes surrounding evidence disclosure could potentially benefit the defense by creating opportunities to challenge the prosecution’s case.

Defense Strategy Speculation

Gambaryan’s legal team appears focused on exploiting procedural missteps by the prosecution and emphasising the harsh conditions of his prolonged detainment. This strategy could have multiple goals. Firstly, they may aim to wear down the prosecution, hoping for errors or a willingness to compromise. Secondly, repeated delays could introduce opportunities to challenge the admissibility of evidence or even the legal basis for the charges. Lastly, by highlighting the international scrutiny surrounding Gambaryan’s detention, the defense could seek to create leverage for a favourable settlement outside of a protracted trial. This strategy carries risks, however, as it could backfire if the defense is perceived as obstructionist rather than seeking a just resolution.