The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday amended the $35.4 million money laundering charge filed against Binance Holdings Limited.
The EFCC’s counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), explained the amendment was necessitated by the earlier discharge of Tigran Gambaryan, the second defendant in the case, and a directive to tidy up the court documents. The application to amend the charge was not opposed by Binance’s lawyer, Okiemute Okwakwa.
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Iheanacho requested that the amended charge be served to the defendant in compliance with Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. He also urged the court to enter a non-guilty plea on behalf of the cryptocurrency firm. The amended six-count charge, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/138/2024, was read in court, and a non-guilty plea was entered for Binance.
Justice Emeka Nwite subsequently adjourned the trial to February 24 and 25, 2025, for continuation.
The amended charge comes weeks after Justice Nwite, on October 23, ordered the release of Gambaryan from Kuje Correctional Centre. The EFCC had informed the court of the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw charges against the Binance executive, prompting his discharge.
The case now proceeds with Binance Holdings Limited as the sole defendant.
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