Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) sparked a diplomatic uproar by accusing Nigerian authorities of "kidnapping" former Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan in a now-deleted post on X. The controversy erupted shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened potential military action against Nigeria over alleged religious persecution, declaring on Truth Social that the U.S. might "go in guns-a-blazing" if killings of Christians continued.
The situation escalated as CZ's remarks revived a year-old legal dispute. Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and former Binance Head of Financial Crime Compliance, was arrested on February 26, 2024, along with colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla during investigations into Binance's operations in Nigeria. Authorities accused Binance of facilitating currency speculation, tax evasion, and money laundering. Gambaryan was held for eight months at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where his health declined due to malaria, pneumonia, and a chronic back condition. His bail requests were twice denied, citing flight risks after Anjarwalla's escape.
In October 2024, Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dropped all charges against Gambaryan on humanitarian grounds, stating he bore no personal responsibility, and he was released. However, the EFCC continues to pursue cases against Binance, including a $81.5 billion lawsuit filed in February 2025 for back taxes and economic damages. Nigerians fiercely defended their country's legal sovereignty, with users on X emphasizing that Gambaryan was "lawfully detained" under judicial oversight. Prominent Web3 advocate Tola Joseph Fadugbagbe urged CZ to retract his statement, calling it "misleading and damaging." Some accused CZ of double standards, noting his own imprisonment in the U.S. for anti-money-laundering violations.
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