- By Halimah Olamide
The Nigerian government on Friday dropped its charges against an executive of cryptocurrency company, Binance, Mr. Tigran Gambaryan.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja discharged Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who had fled months ago.
They were discharged from the alleged tax evasion charge preferred against the company by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
FIRS’ counsel, Moses Ideho, had filed a fresh amended charge wherein Binance is listed as the sole defendant.
Gambaryan had come into the dock on Friday when the matter was called while Mr. Tonye Krukrubo, SAN, while appearing for Binance (1st defendant), informed the court that the cryptocurrency firm had just appointed a representative in Nigeria.
The new appointee, who was also in court, stood up and announced his name as Ayodele Omotilewa.
Ideho confirmed that his office received a notice of appointment of a representative by Binance.
He said the notice was dated June 13, 2024, appointing Ayodele Omotilewa as its agent in the country.
The FIRS lawyer told the court that against the development, an amended four-count charge listing Binance Holdings Limited as sole defendant was filed on June 13.
He therefore applied that Omotilewa should be docked to take a plea on behalf of the company.
Those in court observed that the proceeding was to enable the expartraites take their leave while the company answers to the deeds of its corporate entity through the new representatives just appointed.
The lawyer had argued that the company’s representative was yet to be served with the fresh amended charge, said Omotilewa was only appearing in court for the first time.
“I think my learner friend should confirm whether he has served him or not first. We are not there yet,” he said.
He insisted that the prosecution had not served them with the amended charge.
Krukrubo said Omotilewa ought not to enter the dock.