This brings the end to an eight-month ordeal, during which he faced allegations including money laundering and tax evasion.

Following a ruling from the Federal High Court, Gambaryan left Kuje prison late Wednesday night, allowing him to return to the United States for urgent medical care. 

The court’s decision, supported by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), brought to light the deterioration of Gambaryan’s health during his detention, prompting the need for specialised treatment.

In response to his release, the U.S. government expressed appreciation to Nigeria for facilitating Gambaryan’s return. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement, thanking the Nigerian government for its cooperation and emphasising the importance of U.S.-Nigeria relations.

Blinken stated, “The United States thanks the Government of Nigeria for releasing U.S. citizen Tigran Gambaryan on medical grounds, allowing him to return to the United States to receive the specialized medical care he requires.

“This positive outcome demonstrates the strength of the U.S.-Nigeria partnership and highlights our shared commitment to working together to advance our common interests.  Our close law enforcement cooperation remains a cornerstone of our bilateral relationship, and the United States is committed to working closely with the Government of Nigeria to address mutual concerns and prioritize the safety and well-being of our citizens.”

Gambaryan’s family are greatly relieved following his release, particularly his wife, Yuki Gambaryan, who stated, “It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare.” She thanked the U.S. government and supporters for their support during this challenging time.

The verdict of the suit, which was against the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo after Anjarwalla’s legal team failed to appear during the proceedings. 

Nadeem Anjarwalla had previously sought the court’s intervention, alleging that his detention by Nigerian government officials was illegal and causing difficulty for him, his family, and other relatives.

Three months ago, Tonye Krukrubo, SAN, withdrew as Anjarwalla’s legal representative. The reason for this withdrawal remained undisclosed until the NSA confirmed that Anjarwalla had escaped the country while in detention. 

Krukrubo’s law firm, Messrs Aluko & Oyebode, formally withdrew their representation for Anjarwalla in a notice submitted to the court.

At the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, neither party had legal representation. Justice Ekwo noted that Krukrubo had previously sought leave to withdraw the case, allowing Anjarwalla to find new counsel. However, no such replacement occurred, leading the judge to strike out the fundamental rights case due to lack of diligent prosecution.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) recently initiated criminal proceedings against Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange platform. Nadeem Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, both Binance executives, were named as second and third defendants in the suit. Notably, the NSA confirmed that Nadeem had fled the country.

Last week, the FIRS amended the charges, making Binance the sole defendant, as confirmed by a Nigerian representative from Binance.

Trial judge Emeka Nwite subsequently removed the Binance executives’ names from the FIRS matter, leaving them as co-defendants in a money laundering suit filed by the EFCC.