close
close

Nigeria: Binance CEO’s continued detention in Nigeria could sever ties, US lawmaker says

Posted on by darion

Concerned over the prolonged detention of Binance CEO Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria, US House of Representatives lawmaker James Hill said the prolonged detention could negatively impact bilateral relations between the two countries.

In a statement on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Hill wrote: “I am surprised that Nigeria, a country considered a friend of America, is holding a US citizen in custody in a case in which he is not directly involved. I urge President Biden to push harder for his release.”

Hill, who serves as vice chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and chairman of the subcommittee overseeing digital assets and financial technology, highlighted Gambaryan’s contributions to the fight against cybercrime, saying that since he helped America dismantle many criminal rings, it was time to give back.

The lawmaker’s intervention comes as Gambaryan’s case continues to attract attention, with many calling for his release. Hill’s engagement with U.S. Undersecretary for Management John Bass on the detention underscores growing concerns among U.S. officials.

In a video interview posted to his verified account, X Hill asked Bass: “We’ve seen a lot of action in this administration against Americans who are wrongfully detained overseas. And often they get a designation.

“But suddenly we have a country like Nigeria, which the Biden administration has removed from the list of countries that have religious freedom issues; we signed a trade and investment partnership in the middle of this personal tragedy, indefinitely detaining an American citizen.

“What do you think is the problem with bringing Gambaryan home to his family?”