Outrage Over Treatment of American Executive Held in Nigeria

The Binance CEO, Richard Teng, expressed his strong disapproval of the Nigerian government’s treatment of Tigran Gambaryan, an American executive who has been detained since February. Teng took to X on September 3 to denounce the inhumane treatment of Gambaryan and called for his immediate release to seek medical treatment and reunite with his family.

A viral video that surfaced on September 2 depicted Gambaryan struggling to walk into a courtroom in Abuja. Despite his visible difficulty and request for a wheelchair, the prison authorities callously denied his plea, leaving him to limp and drag his left leg behind him. In a shocking display of insensitivity, Gambaryan’s attempt to seek assistance from a correctional officer was also rebuffed, thus forcing him to rely on a single crutch for support.

In response to the blatant mistreatment, Gambaryan expressed his frustrations by questioning the authorities’ actions. He lamented the lack of assistance and the unjustifiable cruelty he faced, emphasizing his innocence and bewilderment at the harsh treatment he was subjected to. The video raised concerns among observers, echoing Gambaryan’s family’s worries about his deteriorating health in Nigerian custody.

Gambaryan’s legal team did not stand idly by and filed a fresh bail application on medical grounds on September 2. They pleaded with the judge to release Gambaryan so he could receive urgent medical attention for his severe health conditions, which included malaria, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and a herniated disc that immobilized him with excruciating pain. Despite the urgent need for medical care, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed the bail application, arguing that Gambaryan’s health was not as dire as claimed.

Judicial Intervention

Following the legal tussle, the judge ruled in favor of some compassion by allowing Gambaryan the use of a wheelchair. The case is set to resume on September 4, with hope for a fairer and more humane treatment of the detained American executive. The international community is watching closely as the events unfold, with many urging for justice and respect for human rights in Gambaryan’s case.