Yuki Gambaryan, the wife of detained Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, has urgently appealed to the Federal Government for her husband’s release on humanitarian grounds, citing his rapidly deteriorating health.
Tigran, who was arrested in February alongside his fleeing colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, for allegedly exploiting the Nigerian currency through their cryptocurrency platform, has been held at Kuje Prison since.
In a statement released by Binance spokesperson Monique Thompson, Yuki revealed that her husband requires urgent medical surgeries, including treatment for a herniated disc that has left him wheelchair-bound. “My once fit and healthy husband, who loves working out, is now wheelchair-bound due to a treatable condition that has not been properly addressed,” she stated, expressing fears that the untreated condition could cause permanent damage.
Tigran’s health reportedly worsened after he collapsed in court on May 23, 2024, due to ill health. Despite repeated legal requests, his medical care has allegedly been delayed. His legal team, led by Mark Mordi, has raised concerns over the refusal of prison officials to release his medical records, which a court had previously ordered.
On July 16, the presiding judge, Emeke Nwite, ordered that Gambaryan be transferred to Nizamiye Hospital for medical care under strict security. However, according to Yuki, his legal team has been denied access to him at Kuje Prison since July 26, in violation of both the Nigerian constitution and Section 45 of the Nigerian prison regulations.
Reflecting on the emotional toll of the situation, Yuki said, “Life is becoming harder every day for all of us because of Tigran’s absence.” She added that an ENT doctor recently determined that Tigran also needs surgery to remove his tonsils due to recurring infections in detention.
Gambaryan’s legal battles continue, with the next court dates set for October 11 and 18. Meanwhile, American lawmakers have called on the U.S. government to declare Tigran “wrongfully detained” in Nigeria, adding international pressure to the case.
The Federal Government maintains that Binance, which reportedly had a turnover of over $20 billion in Nigeria in 2023, is not registered in the country and has operated without paying taxes or complying with regulatory safeguards. In response to the concerns about Tigran’s health, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris affirmed that the government is ensuring he receives necessary medical care and consular services from his home country.
