Grace Ashiru
A United States lawmaker, Representative French Hill, has indicated that the prolonged detention of Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria could negatively impact the bilateral relations between the two countries.
In a video posted on the lawmaker’s X (formerly Twitter) account recently, Hill expressed his dismay over the extended detention by a country he considers an ally to the US. He also urged United States President Joe Biden to push for Gambaryan’s release.
Recall that Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, has been in detention since February, and his health has reportedly deteriorated in the infamous Kuje prison where he’s being incarcerated. He has now spent over six months in detention, facing charges of tax evasion and other financial crimes. Justice Emeka Nwite of Abuja High Court has fixed October 9 to rule on the bail application on medical grounds brought before the court by his lawyers. French Hill’s intervention comes as Tigran Gambaryan’s case continues to draw attention worldwide, with many calling for his release.
French Hill advocates for Tigran Gambaryan. French Hill, a lawmaker representing Arkansas and serving as Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and Chairman of the subcommittee overseeing digital assets and financial technology, expressed his concerns about the continued detention of Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria.
According to the US lawmaker in the House of Representatives, James Hill, the prolonged detention could negatively impact the bilateral relations between Nigeria and the US. In a video interview posted on his verified X handle, Hill engaged with the US Under Secretary for Management, John Bass.
He asked Bass:
“In this administration, we have seen a lot of action on Americans wrongfully detained abroad. And they frequently get a designation. But suddenly here we have a country like Nigeria, which we removed from the list in the Biden administration on religious freedom issues; signed a commercial and investment partnership with in the middle of this personal tragedy, detaining an American citizen indefinitely.”
He further pressed:
“What do you think the sticking point is for getting Gambaryan home to his family?”
James Hill described Nigeria’s government response to the situation as embarrassing, even though the American ambassador is doing his best. He urged his colleagues to press harder.
“We need the president engaged here. This is wrong. This is a dispute that in no way involves Tigran Gambaryan, and we’re watching him decline in his health. It is a horrifying situation, and this country is a friend of the US; we are not talking about Iran or Russia here, we are talking about Nigeria.”
Adding that:
“I don’t think this leadership, the national security adviser, the president, the cabinet leadership in Nigeria understand they’re putting our relationship on the line because of the way they’re handling this situation.”
In response, John Bass provided insights into the American government’s efforts to secure Tigran Gambaryan’s release from detention and the potential timeline for this to happen. He stated:
“I think we are navigating through some complex issues within the Nigerian system, but I am hopeful we are finding ways to resolve these soon. I can assure you that the secretary, deputy secretary, and I are fully engaged in this matter and doing everything possible to secure his release promptly.”
He concluded by revealing that the US embassy has been instructed to advocate for the humanitarian release of Tigran Gambaryan due to the deplorable prison conditions, his innocence, and his health.
This is not the first time Hill has urged Joe Biden’s administration to take decisive action for Tigran Gambaryan’s release. In June, French Hill and another lawmaker, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat representing Pennsylvania, called for the release of the Binance executive.
