Binance CEO slams Nigeria for inhumane treatment of detained executive

Binance CEO Richard Teng has condemned the Nigerian government for its harsh treatment of Tigran Gambaryan—the detained American executive of the exchange who the authorities have held since February.

In a Sept. 3 post on X, Teng highlighted a viral video showing Gambaryan struggling to walk into a courtroom and stated:

“This inhumane treatment of Tigran must end. He must be allowed to go home for medical treatment and to be with his family.”

‘I’m a f*cking innocent person’

The viral video shows Gambaryan limping into an Abuja courtroom on Sept. 2. Despite his request for a wheelchair, the prison authorities denied his demands, leaving him to drag his left leg behind him.

Notably, his attempts to use a correctional officer for support were also rebuffed, forcing him to rely on a single crutch. In response to these actions, Gambaryan lamented:

“[The prison guard] was told not to help me. He said there’s instruction – this is f*cked up. Why couldn’t I use a goddamn wheelchair? This is a show. I’m a f*cking innocent person. Why are you doing this to me?”

Observers noted that the video content aligns with concerns from Gambaryan’s family, who have repeatedly stated that his health has deteriorated in Nigerian custody.

On Sept. 2, Gambaryan’s legal team filed a new bail application on medical grounds. They urged the judge to release him so he could receive treatment for conditions he developed in prison, including malaria, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and a herniated disc that has left him in severe pain and nearly immobile.

However, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed the bail request, claiming that Gambaryan was not in poor health.

The judge has since ordered that Gambaryan be allowed to use a wheelchair, with the case set to continue on Sept. 4.