On September 2, the Federal High Court in Abuja asked the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Head of the Legal Services Department of the central bank to come in with certain documents.
This is because that is when the trial against Binance Holdings Limited and its executives for money laundering will continue.
At the last court meeting, Justice Emeka Nwite, who was in charge, had put the case off until October 11.
However, the defense lawyer asked the court to change the date, and the court agreed, moving the hearing up a month.
Binance The US’s Tigan Gambaryan is the Head of Financial Crime Compliance, and Nadeem Anjarwalla is the exchange’s British-Kenyan regional head for Africa. They are both being charged with $35 million in money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
At first, both Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were being held by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
On the other hand, Anjarwalla escaped legal custody on March 22, 2024, while Gambaryan was moved from ONSA custody to EFCC custody and then to Kuje Correctional Facility, where he is still being held.
The court asked the heads of the top banks to appear in court or name someone else to do so in the document called Subpoena Duces Tecum, with charge number: FHC/ABCR/138/2024.
This case is between the Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Binance Holdings Limited and Tigran Gambaryan.
“The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way, Central Business District, Abuja – FCT,” it said.
“You or any other officer you may assign is ordered by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appear before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, which is led by the Honorable Justice E.
Nwite, on September 2, 2024, at 9 a.m., and every day until the case is tried. You must bring and present the following documents at the specified time and place.”
“Certified True Copy of the Excel spreadsheet called “Export Exchange Rate Results” that was posted on the website of the Central Bank of Nigeria from June 1, 2024, to August 16, 2024.”
The court order is in a different document but has the same text: “The Head, Legal Services Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way, Central Business District, Abuja – FCT.”
Part of the subpoena said, “You or any other officer you may delegate are commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appear before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, presided over by the Honourable Justice E.
Nwite, on the 2nd day of September 2024 at 9 o’clock in the forenoon, and every day until the above cause is tried, to bring with you and produce the following documents at the time and place mentioned.”
