Category Nigeria News

Tigran Gambaryan, former Binance Head of Financial Crime Compliance in Nigeria, filed a lawsuit against the NSA and the EFCC.

Gambaryan had brought legal action against the NSA and EFCC over alleged unlawful and drawn-out detention.

Justice Mohammed Umar ruled that the Binance agent’s fundamental rights enforcement action was an abuse of court procedure.

No court had the authority to halt the police’s or EFCC’s investigative powers, according to Justice Umar, who ruled that the NSA had carried out his legal duties within his purview.

The lawsuit was subsequently dropped by the judge, who ruled that Gambaryan had provided no evidence to support his claim that he had been barred from prosecution under Nigerian law.

READ MORE: FG Dismisses Gambaryan’s “False Allegations,” Says Binance Offered $5m Payment

In connection with the allegations against Binance Holdings Ltd. of money laundering and foreign exchange contravention, Gambaryan and his coworker Nadeem Anjarwalla were taken into custody at the NSA’s office.

However, Anjarwalla escaped from a reputable custody and fled the nation in early 2024.

However, Gambaryan fought for the protection of his fundamental right in the lawsuit brought by his attorney, Tonye Krukrubo, SAN.

Krukrubo had requested that the NSA and EFCC apologize for his client’s detention there.

In the affidavit that was included with the lawsuit, the lawyer claimed that the Federal Government was using Gambaryan’s protracted detention as a means of “holding on” Binance.

He further explained to the court that his client, an American citizen, only accepted an invitation from NSA and EFCC representatives to meet with government officials in Nigeria on February 26, 2024.

He added that his client, who is not a member of Binance’s board, was taken into custody after accepting the invitation.

Therefore, he urged the court to declare that the respondents’ unlawful detention of the applicant (Gambaryan) between February 26 and February 27 (period of detention prior to the remand order) and March 12 through April 8 (period of detention after the remand order expired until arraignment) has resulted in significant hardship and emotional stress for the applicant, his wife, children, and other members of his family.

However, the EFCC and NSA urged the court to reject the application in a counteraffidavit.

Olanrewaju Adeola, the attorney for the anti-graft organization, brought a charge against Binance Holdings Ltd &amp, another, filed on March 28, 2024, to Justice Emeka Nwite’s attention.

Justice Nwite is in charge of the case, which involves allegations of money laundering and foreign exchange fraud against the cryptocurrency company.

The attorney then demanded that the lawsuit be dismissed because it constituted a flagrant abuse of court procedures.

He further urged the judge to take into account the circumstances surrounding the sister court’s proceedings in order to render a fair decision.

He claimed that during the time the incident occurred, Gambaryan had received a remand order.

Justice Umar stated in the judgment that the court would not “interfere” with the Nigerian authorities’ role in the investigation of suspected foreign exchange fraud and alleged money laundering involving the cryptocurrency platform under the pretext of Gambaryan’s fundamental rights claims.

The judge made it clear that Binance’s criminal cases from 2024 are still pending.

He pointed out in the affidavit evidence that Gambaryan had previously been arraigned before Justice Nwite and later placed on administrative leave.

The court rejected Gambaryan’s bail application on the grounds that he was “a flight risk,” according to the judge.

Justice Umar ruled that Binance and its officials’ affidavits established that the EFCC and the NSA had received intelligence reports regarding alleged money laundering and FX contraventions.

Fundamental rights may be curbed, according to the judge, who argued that they are not absolute.

Following the coup that overthrew the West African nation’s government, former president Goodluck Jonathan resigned from Guinea-Bissau.

Additionally, the ministry of foreign affairs confirmed that Jonathan is safe and has flown on a special plane with his delegation.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former president of Guinea-Bissau, is safely and out of the country. According to Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry’s spokesperson, “He left with a special flight with members of his delegation, including Ibm Chambas.”

Read more about Nigeria’s “Unfortunate,” which condemns coup in Guinea-Bissau and demands the restoration of the Constitutional Order.

Before the military announced the end of power, Jonathan, who is the West African Elders Forum’s election monitoring mission, was in the nation to watch the presidential and legislative elections held last Sunday.

Three days after the West African nation’s legislative and presidential elections were held by military officers in Guinea-Bissau, military officers suspended the country’s electoral process and closed its borders.

A command “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice,” according to General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, in the early afternoon.

Umaro Embalo, the incumbent president, was in favor of winning the election on Sunday.

General Horta N’Tam, the army’s chief of staff, was appointed as the nation’s new leader on Thursday for a year-long appointment.

Condemns Coup by FG

The government of Nigeria called for the West African nation’s government to rescind the coup on Thursday and demand that the country’s democracy be restored.

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed disappointment at the incident and called Guinea-Bissau’s military takeover an “unfortunate” situation.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, wrote, “The Federal Government of Nigeria, in the strongest terms, condemns this act of military insurrection that undermines the democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability of the entire West African sub-region.”

The ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means, and this coup d’état is a flagrant violation of those fundamental principles.

We demand the full respect for the sanctity of democratic institutions in Guinea-Bissau, the safety and security of all those detained, and the immediate and unequivocal restoration of constitutional order, “we stand in solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau,” he continued.

  Guinea-Bissau Military Appoints General As Leader After Coup;

Officials’ release is demanded by ECOWAS.

Election observers from the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also voiced their concerns about the coup and demanded that the military release government officials who had been detained during the incident.

The West African Elders Forum’s President Goodluck Jonathan, the African Union’s Election Observation Mission’s former leader, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, and the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission’s Issifu Baba Braimah Kamara signed a statement.

It’s unfortunate that this announcement was made just as the missions were meeting with the two leading presidential candidates, who had assured us that they would support the people’s demands.

The Kebbi State House of Assembly is being presented with a proposed $642 billion budget for 2026 by governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State.

Through significant infrastructure investments, the budget, titled “Budget of Transformation and People’s Empowerment,” prioritizes development and accountability.

The governor claims that the proposal includes funding for the Kebbi State Security Trust Fund in response to persistent security issues, such as the Maga schoolgirl abductions. An initial $3 billion takeover grant will be provided for the fund, which is anticipated to increase security in nearby towns.

READ ALSO: &nbsp, Sanwo-Olu Presents ₦4.23trn 2026 Budget

Governor Idris stated in the budget presentation that 25% of the total budget is designated for recurrent expenditure, while 25% (163 billion) is designated for capital expenditure.

He added that state-generated revenue (IGR) will be financed through Federal Allocation (FAAC), Value Added Tax (VAT), and the state’s internal revenue (IGR).

The governor said that the construction of the Zuru, Bena, and Wasagu General Hospitals, among other projects, will be finished by the first quarter of 2026.

READ MORE: Governor Radda of Katsina Announces the budget for 2026.

He made the point that expanded urban rehabilitation will be prioritized in the budget for 2026. The government will support the introduction of digital case management systems in Kebbi courts to speed up the delivery of justice.

In his remarks, Speaker Muhammad thanked the governor for carrying out people-oriented projects, as evidenced by the 2025 budget’s implementation.

Following the coup in Guinea-Bissau, the House of Representatives is urging the Federal Government to use all diplomatic means to secure former president Goodluck Jonathan’s release.

Jonathan is one of the African Union’s, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the West African Elders Forum’s joint mission to Guinea-Bissau to monitor the weekend’s coup-hit country’s presidential election.

According to sources within the presidency, work is still being done to secure the former president’s safe return.

The House also appeals to the Federal Government for help rescuing Guinea-Bissau’s imprisoned citizens.

They made the request during the Thursday plenary session, which was held the day after military forces took control of Guinea-Bissau.

  Guinea-Bissau Rocked By Coup D’Etat, Electoral Process Suspended;

Three days after the West African country’s legislative and presidential elections, the officers suspended the country’s electoral process and restricted its borders.

General Denis N’Canha, the head of the presidential military office, announced to the media on Wednesday afternoon that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces, was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice.”

Armed soldiers surrounded by armed soldiers seated at a table and allowing N’Canha to read the announcement.

Under the condition of anonymity, a senior officer reported to AFP that incumbent president Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who had been expected to win the election on Sunday, was “with the chief of staff and the minister of the interior.”

Later, Embalo claimed to have been detained inside the presidential palace.

General Biague Na Ntan, the interior minister, Botche Cande, and General Mamadou Traore, the deputy chief of staff, are also being detained.

Read more about ECOWAS’ and AU missions’ requests for the release of detainees in Guinea-Bissau.

Nigeria, AU, and ECOWAS Condemn Coup.

Concerns about the coup in Guinea-Bissau have been raised by election observers from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Nigerian government.

They called for the West African nation’s return to democracy and called for the coup in separate statements.

The observers expressed “deep concern” over the military’s announcement of a coup d’etat while the country was “waiting for the results to be announced.

Matthew Ashimolowo, the founder of the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), wants the Federal Government to include security training in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program as part of its efforts to combat insecurity in Nigeria.

The cleric said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, “We should train all of our NYSC guys so that they can swing into action and not even commit any crimes.”

Every citizen should contribute to the country’s security, Ashimolowo urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to improve security.

“Now that our president has demanded more policing, let’s stand behind him.” Now that our president has called for more soldiers, he said on the breakfast program, “let’s stand behind him.”

He urged the government and its citizens to unite efforts to harness Nigeria’s youth population, which he claimed accounts for 60% of the country’s demography.

The cleric suggested that Nigeria could adopt Israel’s strategy of involving young people in national defense initiatives.

“Every time I travel to Israel, I’m surprised how young the Israeli army is.” From age 18 to age 22, you are a member of Israel’s army. We should train all of our NYSC personnel, he said.

He argued that by promoting youth awareness and vigilance among young people, Nigeria’s internal security system would be strengthened.

Ashimolowo cautioned against the use of state police by some leaders while making a comment about it.

State police may be effective, but they will ultimately become someone’s personal army, he warned.

Ashimolowo urged Nigerians to work together to create a safe and proud nation.

Let’s raise the bar for security, let’s make our citizens proud of being Nigerians, and let’s tap into the brains of our country. We have the right people in place to make things work, in my opinion. The preacher urged people to “support him, stand up for him” and “do it.”

Some youths who identify as cultists have voluntarily given up their affiliations with the cult organizations and have come out of hiding at Ondo City’s headquarters, Ondo West Local Government Area.

Youths, under the umbrella organization of Ondo Ekimogun Youths, are a part of the organization’s involvement with the Police Area Command in the city, organizing the exercise that will take place on Tuesday.

Olusola Ayanlade, the public relations officer for the Ondo State police command, said the collaborative engagement demonstrated the value of community collaboration in addressing long-standing security issues.

According to Ayanlade, “some of the people who surrendered included well-known faces and individuals who had long been on the Command’s trail,” many of whom had previously been recorded on the Command’s watchlist for their involvement in cult-related activities.

Their decision to come forward demonstrates the effectiveness of the program in breaking up cult-rooted cult networks and reinforces the growing acceptance of the Command’s peace-driven approach.

The police spokesperson revealed that the Command had also successfully mediated a dispute between two rival cult organizations and camps. In the previous year, the groups’ bivalry had claimed eight lives.

Adebowale Lawal, the state’s police commissioner, praised the Ekimogun Youths and the program’s initiators for their contribution to fostering harmony and stability in his response to the development.

He reassured them of the Command’s full cooperation and ongoing cooperation, stressing that the Police will make more efforts to persuade other cultists to repent. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to apprehend any person who chooses to continue to be a criminal.

Ayanlade stated that there were submitted a total of 17 weapons and 12 rounds of ammunition, including 9 mm rounds and AA cartridges.

The tangible progress being made in eradicating the state of illegal firearms is further demonstrated by these recovered arms, which include various grades of locally produced weapons and Beretta pistols.