The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) of Nigeria has dropped the tax charges against two Binance executives, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla. The executives, however, are still implicated in a separate money-laundering case.

Previously, the FIRS had named Gambaryan and Anjarwalla in court to answer to allegations of money laundering and tax evasion. Following the revision of charges, Binance, represented locally, remains the sole defendant in the tax-related case. The revised stance came after the exchange's efforts to demonstrate that Gambaryan, suffering from illness, lacks decision-making authority within the firm and, thus, should not be detained or obligated to appear in court.

The FIRS's decision has brought some relief to the concerned parties. "This goes to show that both Tigran and Nadeem are not decision makers at Binance, and should never have been detained and charged," expressed a family spokesperson.

Gambaryan, Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, was detained in February during an investigation into the exchange. Anjarwalla, who managed the company's Africa operations, fled shortly after detention. The next hearing for the remaining money-lowering case is scheduled for June 19, with the trial set to resume the following day.

Binance has stated their commitment to resolving the situation and highlighted Gambaryan's deteriorating health, including a diagnosis of malaria and pneumonia. The company urged Nigerian authorities to consider similar actions to those taken by the FIRS in the interest of Gambaryan's well-being.

The U.S. government has also been called upon to intervene, with lawmakers recently urging President Biden to take immediate measures to secure Gambaryan's release. The executive's wife, Yuki Gambaryan, has publicly advocated for his release, citing the grave risk to his life.

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