Tax Evasion: Arraignment Of Binance Executive Stalled As Court Adjourns To April 8

The arraignment of a top official of Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan, could not go on Thursday following the delayed service of the charge on the accused person.

The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, adjourned the matter for ruling to April 8, 2024 after listening to parties’ submission on the service of the charge on Binance Holdings Limited.

The defendants; Binance Holdings Limited and Tigran Gambaryan, were meant to be arraigned on Thursday but it was stalled following objection from the counsel for the second defendant, Mark Mordi, (SAN)

The arraignment could not go on as the second defendant (Gambaryan) had not been served with the charge by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla (in absentia) were dragged before the court over allegations of tax evasion

Counsel to the second defendant drew the attention of the court to the fact that his client, whom the federal government scheduled for arraignment, did not have an idea of the charges against him.

Counsel to the FIRS who told the court that service on the 2nd defendant had been difficult as he has been in custody.

Counsel to the second defendant had raised questions about the conduct of the federal government in serving the charge on the second defendant but did not object to it.

The court ordered that the defendant be served in court.

The prosecution prayed the court for an adjournment to enable the defendant to go through the charge and be ready to take his plea.

The court consequently adjourned the matter to April 8 and 19, 2024 for arraignment.