Charges Dropped, Binance Exec Gambaryan Finally Heads Home

This departure follows Nigerian authorities’ decision to dismiss the remaining money laundering accusations that had kept him in custody since February. Nigerian officials had previously cleared him of tax-related allegations in June, leaving the money laundering charges as his last legal barrier.

Gambaryan’s exit marks the end of a long period of health decline and judicial delays. According to a statement from his family, he departed Nigeria on October 23 and is ready to focus on his recovery.

After being detained in February, Gambaryan reportedly contracted malaria and pneumonia and further aggravated a pre-existing herniated disc. A video from September showed him visibly struggling to walk.

His wife, Yuki, expressed relief, recounting the difficulties their family faced during his detention. 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.

The legal issues began when Gambaryan and fellow Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla landed in Abuja on February 25 to discuss the crypto exchange’s operations in Nigeria. Authorities, investigating Binance’s handling of “suspicious funds” flowing through its local entity, arrested the pair the following day. Anjarwalla, however, managed to escape detention and returned to Kenya in March, with Nigeria attempting to bring him back for further questioning on tax-related charges.

Gambaryan was formally charged in April, where he entered a plea of not guilty but was subsequently denied bail, leading to his confinement in Kuje Prison in Abuja.

In May, Binance CEO Richard Teng hinted that Nigerian officials might have sought a secret crypto settlement to resolve the case, but Binance declined the offer, choosing instead to negotiate openly. Teng also commented:

The message from the Nigerian government is clear: we must detain an innocent, mid-level employee and a former US federal agent, and place him in a dangerous prison in order to control Binance.

After months of uncertainty, Gambaryan’s departure marks the conclusion of a grueling chapter for both him and his family. As he returns home, the focus now shifts to recovery and moving forward.

In other news, Binance founder Changpeng Zhao was released in September after a four-month sentence related to insufficient anti-money laundering measures at the crypto exchange.