The Head of Financial Crime Compliance of Binance Holding Ltd, a cryptocurrency exchange company, Tigran Gambaryan, has finally departed Nigeria after eight months of detention.
The company in a statement on Thursday said the executive had returned to his family.
FTN reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday discharged Gambayran, from money laundering charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, the trial judge said he was discharged on health grounds.
The statement by Binance read, “Today, American citizen Tigran Gambaryan left Nigeria to return home to his family after eight months of unlawful detention.
“Gambaryan was allowed to leave Kuje prison last night. His health has suffered significantly while in prison. He will now be able to finally receive the medical attention he desperately requires.”
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Also, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, expressed her relief at his release, adding that she didn’t expect that the process would be that long.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: FG drops money laundering charges against Binance executive Gambaryan
She said, “It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the U.S. government for their efforts in securing his release. I also want to thank everyone who helped us throughout this ordeal. There were moments I feared this day would never come, but Tigran’s supporters gave me hope and strength.
“The road ahead for Tigran’s recovery is going to be difficult, and I appreciate being given the time and space to focus on that. Our children cannot wait to see their dad again.”
The EFCC had earlier informed the court that the case could not proceed on the last adjourned date due to Gambayran’s health condition.
The Commission stated that a report from the Nigerian Correctional Service, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), indicated that Gambayran’s health had deteriorated to the extent that he could hardly walk without the assistance of a wheelchair, in addition to suffering from other health issues.
A statement by Jake Sullivan from the office of the National Security Advisor, the U.S. government, indicated that Gambaryan was released by the Nigerian government on humanitarian grounds.
“I am pleased that American citizen and former U.S. law enforcement official Tigran Gambaryan has been released on humanitarian grounds by the Nigerian government and he is on his way back to the United States so that he can receive needed medical attention. As soon as we secured Mr Gambaryan’s release, I called his wife Yuki to share this good news.
“I am grateful to my Nigerian colleagues and partners for the productive discussions that have resulted in this step and look forward to working closely with them on the many areas of cooperation and collaboration critical to the bilateral partnership between our two countries.”
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