United States diplomats are intensifying efforts to secure the release of Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who has been detained in Nigeria since February 2024. The pressure from Washington comes amid growing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Gambaryan, a former Internal Revenue Service agent and a U.S. citizen, has been held in Nigeria for over seven months. His continued detention has become a significant point of contention in U.S.-Nigeria relations.
According to a recent report by The New York Times, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills have been actively advocating for Gambaryan’s release. Since June 2024, they have privately urged Nigerian officials to address the issue.
Ambassador Mills took the matter up directly during a meeting with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet in September 2024. The discussions focused on pressing Nigerian officials to facilitate Gambaryan’s release. However, Nigeria’s Attorney General has stated that Gambaryan will only be released after undergoing a trial.
The U.S. State Department has been exploring various strategies to apply political pressure on Nigeria. One such strategy includes labeling Gambaryan’s detention as “wrongful.” This move, suggested by U.S. lawmakers, would bolster efforts to secure his release by framing the situation as a diplomatic concern.
In July 2024, U.S. Representative Rich McCormick introduced a resolution to Congress, advocating for Gambaryan’s detention to be categorized as a “hostage” situation. McCormick alleged that the Nigerian government was using Gambaryan’s detention as leverage to extort funds from the cryptocurrency exchange.
“The situation with Gambaryan is unacceptable,” McCormick stated. “The Nigerian government’s actions seem to be aimed at coercing Binance rather than addressing legitimate legal concerns.”
The call for Gambaryan’s release has been further fueled by concerns about his deteriorating health. U.S. diplomatic officials have highlighted Gambaryan’s medical condition as a key factor in their push for his release. Reports indicate that Gambaryan is suffering from a range of health issues, including a herniated disc, pneumonia, malaria, and throat infections.
On September 2, 2024, Gambaryan’s attorneys filed a new motion for bail, arguing that his rapidly declining health necessitates immediate medical attention that is not available in prison. They have emphasized that Gambaryan’s condition requires specialized treatment that cannot be provided within the confines of the Kuje prison facility.
The treatment of Gambaryan has also drawn criticism from human rights groups and legal observers. In July 2024, Nigerian prison officials faced backlash for neglecting Gambaryan’s medical needs. The situation escalated when an arrest warrant was issued for Dr. Abraham Ehizojie, a medical doctor at the Kuje prison, for failing to provide a mandatory medical report for Gambaryan.
Gambaryan’s detention has become a focal point of international scrutiny, with advocates calling for his release on humanitarian grounds. U.S. officials have labeled the case a humanitarian issue, underscoring the urgency of addressing Gambaryan’s health crisis.
Shelling out additional diplomatic pressure, U.S. officials argue that Nigeria’s handling of Gambaryan’s case has broader implications for bilateral relations and the perceived fairness of Nigeria’s legal system. The ongoing dispute underscores the complex interplay between international diplomacy, human rights, and legal processes.
In response to the growing international concern, Nigerian officials have maintained that Gambaryan’s detention is a legal matter to be resolved through the country’s judicial system. They have asserted that any claims of wrongful detention are unfounded and that due process will be followed.
“The legal process in Nigeria will take its course,” a Nigerian government spokesperson said. “We are committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all legal procedures are adhered to.”
The case has become a significant diplomatic issue, highlighting the challenges of navigating international relations amidst complex legal and humanitarian concerns. The U.S. government’s efforts to secure Gambaryan’s release reflect broader tensions and the importance of addressing human rights issues within the context of international diplomacy.
As the situation continues to develop, all eyes will be on the Nigerian government and its response to the mounting pressure from the United States. The resolution of Gambaryan’s case will likely have implications for U.S.-Nigeria relations and set a precedent for how such high-profile detention cases are handled in the future.
