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.

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.

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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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

Two persons suspected to be hoodlums have been arrested by the operatives of the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly stabbing a police officer to death in Akure, the state capital.

The suspects, identified as Shina Jacob, 25, and Felix Olalekan, 32, allegedly attacked the police inspector during an altercation at Oke-Arata within Arakale axis.

The killing of the police officer came a few days after a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was stabbed to death by a mentally unstable man in Oba-Ile area of Akure.

According to sources, after the inspector, who was recently transferred from the Anti-Cultism Unit to B-Division, was stabbed, the area was thrown into a state of panic as residents and traders hurriedly fled.

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While confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed that the officer was rushed to the hospital after he was stabbed but gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

“An altercation ensued between the officer and some recalcitrant individuals, during which the officer was tragically stabbed. This unfortunate event triggered an immediate and coordinated police response.

“Acting swiftly, the Commissioner of Police deployed a team of operatives to the scene, resulting in the arrest of two suspects directly connected to the incident. They include Shina Jacob ‘m’ aged 25 years and Felix Olalekan ‘m’ aged 32 years.

“The injured officer was also rescued and rushed to the hospital; however, despite all efforts, the police inspector sadly passed away while receiving treatment. The follow-up operation conducted last night formed part of the Command’s sustained and strategic efforts to rid the state of violent criminal elements and prevent further breaches of public safety,” Ayanlade stated.”

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The command, however, warned that it will not tolerate any form of assaults or attacks on police officers, adding that the Nigeria Police will hesitate to deal decisively with any personnel infringing on the human rights of the citizens.

“The arrested suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations. The command strongly cautions members of the public against circulating unverified information capable of causing panic, creating unnecessary fear, or diverting critical security resources.”

In other news, the Owelle of Onicha-Olona, Chief Jerry Nkeweshe, has demanded the withdrawal of a police statement linking him to the killing of three youths in the Okwe community near Asaba, Delta State.

The Delta State Police Command had announced a manhunt for Nkeweshe and others alleged to have led an armed group that attacked the community on November 24, resulting in the deaths of the youths.

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The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed the killings and said the suspects were being sought in connection with the attack.

But reacting through his lawyer, Kelechi Nnadi, on Wednesday, Nkeweshe denied any involvement and described the police statement as false and damaging.

Nnadi said his client was not in Okwe or anywhere within Asaba on the day of the incident, explaining that Nkeweshe had left the city earlier that morning for medical attention in Umunede, where he stayed throughout the day.

The people of Kurama Chiefdom in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State have cried out over N500 million being demanded as ransom by bandits before the release of 13 residents of the area, including an ECWA Pastor.

They said that it was impossible for them to raise such an amount.

Gunmen had about two weeks ago stormed the villages of Gidan Yawa, Maiyamma, Jantsauni, and Maidoki around 10:30 pm, shooting three people dead and abducting thirty others in the night.

The bandits have now reduced their captives to thirteen and demanded the sum of N500 million before they are released.

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The National Publicity Secretary of the Federated Kurama Association, Mr. Pius Again Kaura said, “We are finished. These are the breadwinners of their families; farmers, fathers, a pastor.

“And the bandits are asking for half a billion naira. Where will poor villagers find such money?

‎”Our people are helpless. We have no guns, no soldiers, no money. We are at the mercy of these killers.”

He explained that the affected villages are purely farmers that live on the outskirts of Yarkasuwa.

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According to him, “This latest atrocity is only the most recent in a long chain of bloodshed visited upon the Kurama nation.

“In recent years, the District Head of Garun Kurama, the District Head of Gurzan Kurama, a Catholic priest of Yadin Garun Kurama Parish, the wife and son of the Lere LGA APC Chairman Hon. Jonathan Shekarau, and countless farmers have all been kidnapped or murdered. Many remain in captivity or were killed when ransom could not be paid.”

They appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Governor Uba Sani to come to their rescue and ensure the victims are released and united with their families.