In a legal saga that has captured international attention, a Nigerian court has adjourned the money laundering trial against cryptocurrency exchange Binance and two of its executives until May 17. The decision came after a lawyer representing the exchange informed the court that he had not been served with the essential documents necessary to prepare for the case.
Legal Proceedings Adjourned
Binance, along with its executives Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, find themselves embroiled in legal proceedings alleging money laundering exceeding $35 million and engaging in specialized financial activities without the requisite license. Gambaryan, a US citizen and head of financial crime compliance , and Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan serving as a regional manager for Africa, stand accused in this high-stakes trial.
During Thursday's court session, Binance's legal representative raised concerns about not receiving the additional proof of evidence crucial for preparing the defence. The lawyer highlighted the necessity of this documentation for adequately commencing the trial. However, he was promptly served with the over 300-page document while in court.
Judge Delays Binance Trial for Evidence Review
Responding to the developments, the presiding judge opted to adjourn the proceedings to allow Binance's legal team ample time to scrutinize the provided evidence before the trial reconvenes on May 17.
In addition to the ongoing money laundering case brought forth by Nigeria's anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Binance and its executives face another legal hurdle. They are also implicated in four counts of tax evasion, a separate trial for which is set to resume concurrently on May 17.
Earlier, Finance Magnates reported that two senior executives' detention raised concerns over diplomatic relations and cryptocurrency regulations. Authorities accused Binance of currency speculation, demanding user data to stabilize the devalued naira. President Tinubu's administration sees crypto exchanges as threats to reforms attracting foreign investment.
