The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, deferred the arraignment of Binance Holdings Limited and 2 of its official, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla till April 8, 2024. Justice Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge adjourned the matter for ruling after listening to the parties’ submissions. The case was adjourned following the inability of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to effect service of the charge on the establishment.
Recall that one of the defendants, Anjarwalla, reportedly escaped custody; but the Federal Government has initiated the process of his arrest and extradition back to the country for trial, however, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, allows his trial in absentia.
EFCC has accused Binance, Gambaryan and the fleeing Anjarwalla of 4 counts of money laundering, punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Furthermore, Binance is also accused of not being registered to conduct business in Nigeria and also accused of tax evasion because it has not paid any tax to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
