The relatives of two Binance employees detained in Nigeria have reported that the Nigerian Government continues to hold them in Abuja despite a court hearing that did not extend their detention, and without charging them with any crime.

Tigran Gambaryan, a former U.S. federal agent specializing in cryptocurrencies, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Kenyan Binance executive, have been without their passports and confined at a government facility in Abuja for three weeks. This action was taken by the office of the National Security Adviser as part of efforts to stabilize the Nigerian currency, the Naira, following the government's crackdown on several cryptocurrency trading platforms.

The detention occurred after the executives travelled to Nigeria in response to the country's recent restrictions on cryptocurrency trading sites. During a court session in Abuja, where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) sought a new detention order after the initial one expired on March 12, the request was opposed by the executives' legal representatives. However, the judge did not issue a ruling on the EFCC’s application.

(L-R) Tigran Gambaryan, Nadeem Anjarwalla - Binance employee

A statement from the families of Gambaryan and Anjarwalla mentioned that despite their appeals for the release of their loved ones, the Nigerian authorities have not yet freed them. The continued detention means significant family milestones will be missed, including the first birthday of Anjarwalla’s son and the fifth birthday of Gambaryan’s son.

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Furthermore, a high court in Abuja has directed Binance to disclose comprehensive information about its Nigerian users' trading activities to the EFCC. This order was part of an investigation into alleged money laundering and terrorism financing through the cryptocurrency exchange platform.

The directive, which seeks extensive data on Nigerian traders on Binance, follows intelligence received by the EFCC regarding illegal activities conducted through the platform, including market manipulation that has adversely affected the Naira’s value.

In a related development, the Nigerian government has demanded Binance provide details of its top 100 users in Nigeria and all transaction history over the last six months as part of its scrutiny into the exchange's operations, amidst claims of Binance conducting business in Nigeria unlawfully.