In a striking revelation, it has emerged that President Bola Tinubu sought public commendation from the White House as a precondition for releasing Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, who had been detained in Nigeria for eight months. According to Wired, an American bi-monthly magazine, the release of Mr Gambaryan was tied to a diplomatic maneuver that saw the Biden administration issuing a statement of gratitude, acknowledging Mr Tinubu for his “humanitarian” gesture.
Mr Gambaryan, who was held in Nigeria alongside his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla on allegations that Binance was undermining the Nigerian economy, disclosed that the White House statement was not merely an expression of goodwill but part of a broader negotiation between the United States and Nigeria. The agreement also involved U.S. support in an ongoing investigation into Binance’s operations, a case that remains under scrutiny.
Sources familiar with the high-stakes diplomacy behind the executive’s release revealed that Mr Tinubu’s eagerness to meet U.S. President Joe Biden during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September played a crucial role. At the time, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan had reportedly engaged in discussions with his Nigerian counterpart, Nuhu Ribadu, urging the release of Mr Gambaryan. The pressure intensified as American officials made it clear that detaining the Binance executive would be an obstacle to any diplomatic engagement between Biden and Tinubu at the UNGA or beyond.
The Wired report further suggests that Mr Tinubu’s determination to secure a meeting with President Biden was fueled by a broader effort to rehabilitate his international reputation. This came after allegations linking him to historical drug-related activities and controversies surrounding his academic credentials, issues that had previously cast doubt on his credibility on the global stage. To bolster his image, the Nigerian leader reportedly engaged U.S.-based lobbyists to influence policymakers and lawmakers in Washington, ensuring his administration was perceived as legitimate and trustworthy.
Beyond the diplomatic maneuvers, Mr Gambaryan also detailed shocking experiences during his detention in Nigeria. He recounted how his colleague, Mr Anjarwalla, escaped from custody by scaling a fence while security operatives assigned to watch over him were asleep. Additionally, he revealed the extent of corruption within Nigeria’s prison system, alleging that officials at Kuje prison demanded thousands of dollars in bribes during his time in detention. He also shared insights into his interactions with disgraced police officer Abba Kyari, who is facing prosecution over alleged ties to international fraud syndicates.
The detention of the Binance executives stemmed from Nigerian authorities’ allegations that the cryptocurrency exchange was facilitating illicit transactions and contributing to the naira’s depreciation. In February 2023, reports emerged that the executives had been lured into a meeting with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, only to be subsequently detained on accusations of economic sabotage. The case has since sparked significant debate on Nigeria’s stance toward cryptocurrency regulations and its broader implications for international business relations.
As Nigeria continues its crackdown on financial crimes, the revelations surrounding Mr Gambaryan’s detention and release expose the intricate layers of political maneuvering, diplomatic pressure, and systemic corruption at play. The lingering question remains: to what extent do international power dynamics shape justice in Nigeria, and how far will leaders go to secure their standing on the global stage?
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