A photo collage of Joe Biden and Bola Tinubu
By Victory Oghene
Facts have emerged on how the United States President, Joe Biden secured the release of an American citizen and the Binance’s Head of Finance Crime Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, who was detained and prosecuted in Nigeria.
NATIONAL WAVES gathered representatives of the US government had discussion with their Nigerian counterparts on the detained American which culminated to his release.
President Biden thereafter phoned Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu and discussed significant issues on Tuesday. Their discussions touched on key issues of security, international collaboration, and Africa’s representation on the United Nations Security Council.
The US President also thanked Presient Tinubu, and the Nigerian government for dropping the criminal charges against Gambaryan.
Gambaryan was arrested last February while on a business trip to Nigeria and later charged alongside his company, Binance, with laundering $35.4 million and tax evasion, which they denied
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, confirmed this 8n a chat with State House Correspondents on the recent discussion between President Tinubu and U.S. President Joe Biden.
He said part of the discussion was the release of Tigran Gambaryan.
Tuggar explained, “The call focused on cooperation between the two countries on law enforcement and the release of a key cryptocurrency exchange suspect.”
According to the minister, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the U.S. for its ongoing partnership in security efforts across Africa, particularly in West Africa.
President Biden, in response, emphasised the strategic significance of Africa in the global future, underscoring the importance of a sustained partnership.
The leaders also addressed the prospect of a permanent African seat on the United Nations Security Council.
President Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Africa’s representation on the Council, suggesting that one of these seats could rightfully belong to Nigeria.
