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*Says US keen on securing UN seat for Nigeria
The United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday hailed Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for the release of Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan.
Biden also assured Tinubu that the US was keen on securing permanent status for two African countries, including Nigeria, on the United Nations Security Council.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, made this disclosure while briefing State House correspondents on the 30-minute voice call content between Biden and Tinubu
Tuggar said, “I have been directed by Mr President to brief you regarding his phone call with the US President Joseph Biden at about 4 pm today.
“The two leaders exchanged pleasantries and President Biden proceeded to thank President Tinubu for his partnership and Nigeria’s partnership and, in particular, for the collaboration between the two countries for the release of one of the suspects of the cryptocurrency exchange company that we’re all aware of."
Gambaryan left Nigeria after eight months of lawful detention, his family confirmed.
A statement from the family on Thursday, October 24, 2024, read, “Today, American citizen, Tigran Gambaryan, left Nigeria to return home to his family after eight months of unlawful detention.”
Gambaryan, a senior Binance executive, was detained in Nigeria in early 2024 during a crackdown on cryptocurrency activities by the government.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed money laundering charges against him, which Binance and Gambaryan have denied.
US diplomats and lawmakers pushed for his release, emphasising his declining health and the need for transparent proceedings.
Despite repeated bail applications, he remained in custody for nearly eight months, raising diplomatic tensions between the US and Nigeria.
But on October 23, 2024, a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja discharged Gambaryan from the money laundering charges after the Federal Government, through the EFCC, withdrew the money laundering charges against him.
Binance CEO, Richard Teng, expressed relief, highlighting Binance’s commitment to regulatory cooperation in Nigeria.
Responding to Biden, Tinubu thanked him and the US for the partnership and collaboration in numerous sectors, emphasising greater cooperation regarding security in West Africa.
Biden also affirmed that this partnership would continue as the “future of the world resides in Africa, which is why this partnership needs to continue.”
Tuggar explained, “The two leaders also discussed the issue of the permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council.
“President Biden, once again, assured that the United States is committed to seeing Africa having two permanent seats."
