The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday amended the $35.4 million money laundering charge filed against Binance Holdings Limited, following the discharge of Tigran Gambaryan, the second defendant in the case.
The amendment, presented before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, aligns with an earlier court directive to tidy up the documents. EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, explained that the changes also reflect the removal of Gambaryan as a defendant.
The application to amend the six-count charge was unopposed by Binance’s lawyer, Okiemute Okwakwa. Iheanacho requested that the amended charges be read to the defendant under Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and urged the court to enter a non-guilty plea on behalf of Binance.
After the plea was entered, Justice Nwite adjourned the trial to Feb. 24 and 25, 2025, for continuation.
The amended charge lists Binance Holdings Limited as the sole defendant. It includes allegations of unlicensed financial operations, unlawful foreign exchange dealings, and concealing the origins of proceeds from illegal activities.
