President Biden thanked Nigerian President Tinubu for releasing Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, highlighting U.S.-Nigeria cooperation on global challenges and cybercrime.
U.S. President Joe Biden recently thanked Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for releasing Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan. This acknowledgement came during a phone call on Tuesday. The conversation highlighted the importance of their bilateral relationship, especially in addressing global issues. The White House confirmed President Biden thanked the Nigerian President for securing the release.
Biden was glad to see Gambaryan freed for humanitarian reasons. The former IRS agent had been arrested in Nigeria since February this year over money laundering and tax fraud accusations associated with Binance. His arrest was a huge cause for concern, and on October 18, the U.S. attorney general wrote a letter to Biden asking him to act.
According to Gambaryan’s family members, he had a number of serious health problems during the time he was in custody. They said he had severe back pain due to a herniated disc, pneumonia and malaria. In view of these conditions, the release was a source of relief for his family as well as the U.S government. Fortunately, the charges against him were dropped on October 23.
Bilateral Efforts Against Cybercrime Mark New Chapter in U.S.-Nigeria Relations
He also used the occasion to extend his condolences to the people of Nigeria over the recent flooding especially in the northeastern part of the country. This natural disaster has affected many people and increases the pressure on the two countries to cooperate. Biden and Tinubu talked about how they are willing to solve different issues. They started from security and going down to the economic ones.
However, the leaders stressed further cooperation through the recently established bilateral Liaison Group on illicit finance and currencies. This group wants to increase the cooperation between the police forces of the United States and Nigeria. The initiative was launched the same day Gambaryan’s charges were dismissed, signalling a renewed focus on combating cybercrime.
Biden acknowledged the Nigerian leadership in these efforts, especially in policing and policing technologies. He also spoke about the need to give the voice to African people in the international organisations.
Ultimately, the relationship between the United States and Nigeria will remain strategic as the two nations seek to address emerging threats as they continue to cooperate in the future. This is a good sign in this ongoing relationship necessary for both nations in the face of many challenges in the world today, especially Gambaryan’s release.
