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Court Dismisses Ex-Binance Chief’s Claims Of Unlawful Detention Against EFCC

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A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, November 27, 2025 dismissed a suit filed by former Binance Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), claiming unlawful and prolonged detention.

According to a statement by the EFCC, Justice Umar Mohammed dismissed the case, ruling that the court would not, under the guise of Gambaryan’s fundamental rights claims, “interfere” with the prosecutorial role of the Nigerian authorities in investigating suspected foreign exchange violations and alleged money laundering involving the Binance platform.

Gambaryan filed the suit against the EFCC and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, seeking compensation and costs over his purported prolonged detention by security operatives in connection with the Federal Government’s money laundering and foreign exchange contravention allegations against Binance.

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The EFCC added that while the proceedings lasted, its counsel, Olanrewaju Adeola, told the court that Gambaryan was lawfully detained based on charges of money laundering foreign exchange violations.

READ ALSO:UK Court Clears Comedy Writer Of Harassing Transgender Woman

Adeola described the suit of the former Binance chief as “a gross abuse of court processes”, even as the EFCC’s position was upheld with the dismissal of the suit by the court.

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The Federal Government last year October dropped all charges of money laundering against Gambaryan.

Gambaryan had been facing money laundering trial since April 2024 when he was detained in Nigeria.

A lawyer representing the EFCC, who was the prosecuting agency, announced the withdrawal of the charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 23, 2024.

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Announcing the withdrawal of the charges, the lawyer said Gambaryan was only an employee of Binance, whose activities he was being prosecuted for.

READ ALSO:Court Remands Man For Allegedly Cyberbullying Ebonyi Rep Member

The former Binance executive, in February 2025, narrated his encounter with EFCC operatives during the period of his detention in Nigeria.

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Gambaryan told WIRED, a US-based media publication, that he came in contact with several other officials of the EFCC while he was being detained and accused of money laundering and tax evasion by the anti-graft agency.

He identified some of the EFCC officials he came in contact with as Olalekan Ogunjobi, a detective; Hamma Adama Bello, whom he described as a bearded man in his mid-forties; and Ahmad Sa’ad Abubakar, described by Ogunjobi as the right-hand man to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

Ogunjobi professed admiration for his work as a former special agent of the IRS Criminal Investigation, the law enforcement division of the United States Tax Authority.

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He told WIRED that their relationship, however, went sour as the period of his detention lengthened.

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

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The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

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Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.

The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.

‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama

‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.

He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

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“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”

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Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

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Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

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Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

READ ALSO:Gunmen Abduct 60-year-old Trader In Oyo

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

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Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

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Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

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A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

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READ ALSO:Senatorial Seat: Ogbakha-Edo Warns Against Imposition Of Candidates In Edo South

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

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The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration

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The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.” 

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

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