Amidst US Pressure, Nigerian Court Acquits Two Binance Officials in Tax Evasion Case
Nigerian Court Acquits Two Binance Officials in Tax Evasion Case Amidst US Pressure.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, two officials of the virtual currency trading firm Binance Holdings Limited, of tax evasion charges brought against them by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Gambaryan remains in custody in Abuja, while Anjarwalla reportedly escaped earlier this year. Alongside Binance, both individuals face separate money laundering charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with the trial already underway.
Nigerian Lady Professes Love For Men Who Snore (Video)
During the recent court session on the FIRS case, Binance’s lawyer, Tonye Krukrubo (SAN), announced that the firm had designated a representative to liaise with the court and FIRS. This was confirmed by FIRS’ lawyer, Moses Idehu, who requested permission to replace the existing charge with an amended one dated June 13.
Idehu informed the court that FIRS decided to drop charges against Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, continuing only against Binance. He urged the court to have Binance’s new representative plead to the amended charge. However, Krukrubo argued that Nigerian law does not require a company representative to enter the dock and plead on the company’s behalf, suggesting instead that a written submission would suffice.
Agreeing with this position, Idehu did not object. Subsequently, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the lawyers to submit written arguments on whether the representative should be required to appear in the dock. The judge then dismissed the initial charge and removed Gambaryan and Anjarwalla from the list of defendants.
The court adjourned the case to July 12 for the arraignment of Binance on the amended charge.
Stay informed with Ejes Gist News – Your Source for Credible News in Nigeria Now.
