The scheduled arraignment of Binance Holdings Limited and two of its executives, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, on Thursday, faced a setback as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) encountered difficulties in serving the charge to the defendants.
During the proceedings before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja, only Gambaryan was present with legal representation. Notably, neither the company nor Anjarwalla, who recently absconded from lawful custody, had legal representation.
Gambaryan’s lawyer, Chukwuka Ikwuazo, SAN, informed the court that his client hadn’t received the charge, thus impeding the arraignment process.
While acknowledging the failure to serve Gambaryan with the charge, FIRS lawyer Moses Ideho cited challenges in reaching the defendant at the EFCC’s detention facility.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Govt Arraigns Binance Executive for Tax Evasion
Consequently, he requested the court’s permission to serve Gambaryan in the open court, which the judge granted.
The defense sought either a brief postponement or an adjournment to allow Gambaryan to consult with his lawyer, a request to which there was no objection.
The case was adjourned until April 19 for Gambaryan to enter his plea.
Earlier reports from DAILY POST had indicated that FIRS intended to arraign Binance Holdings Limited, Gambaryan, and Anjarwalla on April 4th for alleged tax evasion.
The charges against the defendants, outlined in a document marked FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, consist of four counts related to tax evasion allegedly committed around February 1.
The first count accuses the defendants of failing to register with FIRS while providing services on their platform, Binance, for tax purposes.
These alleged offenses are punishable under various sections of tax laws, including the VAT Act of 1993 (as Amended), the FIRS Establishment Act of 2007 (as amended), and the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended).
