A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a summons to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Head of the Legal Services Department of the apex bank, requiring their appearance with specific documents on Monday, September 2, for the continuation of the money laundering trial against Binance Holdings Limited and its executives.
Previously, the trial was scheduled for October 11 by the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite. However, following a request from the defense counsel, the court agreed to move the date forward by a month.
The case involves Binance USA’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, and the exchange’s British-Kenyan regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who face money laundering charges amounting to $35 million, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were initially detained by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Anjarwalla escaped custody on March 22, 2024, while Gambaryan was transferred to EFCC custody and subsequently to Kuje Correctional Facility, where he remains detained.
The court’s summons, titled “Subpoena Duces Tecum” with charge number FHC/ABCR/138/2024, in the case of the Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Binance Holdings Limited and Tigran Gambaryan, mandates the appearance of CBN officials or their delegates.
The subpoena states: “The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way, Central Business District, Abuja – FCT, or any officer you may delegate, are commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, presided over by the Honourable Justice E. Nwite, on the 2nd day of September 2024 at 9:00 AM, and from day to day until the above cause is tried. You are required to bring with you and produce at the specified time and place the following documents:
‘Certified True Copy of the Excel spreadsheet titled “Export Exchange Rate Results” published on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s website for the period from June 1, 2024, to August 16, 2024.’”
A similar summons was also issued to the Head of the Legal Services Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria, reiterating the order to appear before the court or delegate another officer to do so, with the required documents.