Reading Time: 2 minutes
The judge overseeing Binance’s tax case could not attend court this week, delaying the trial
The trial has been pushed to October, causing further consternation to the exchange
Binance faces $79 billion in tax claims and a $35 million fraud suit

A Nigerian court has delayed Binance’s tax evasion trial once again, this time because the presiding judge failed to appear due to other commitments. The case, already mired in delays, has now been adjourned until October 14 following the non-appearance of Justice Emeka Nwite. Binance continues to face mounting legal pressure in the country, including a multi-billion-dollar tax claim and a separate money laundering case, with the trial now extended by three months.

Judge’s Absence Halts Proceedings

Binance is battling two major cases in Nigeria; the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is seeking over $79 billion in damages and unpaid taxes, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting the company for alleged money laundering totaling $35 million. The dual cases have raised questions about the exchange’s liability as an offshore entity operating in a jurisdiction where regulators are pushing for stricter crypto controls.

Aside from these large numbers, the most notable aspect of the case so far has been the detention of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s former compliance chief, who was detained in Nigeria for months for his alleged role in the company’s actions.

Justice Emeka Nwite did not attend the scheduled July 9 hearing due to other official obligations, leaving both prosecution and defense teams in limbo. This latest delay adds to a growing list of procedural setbacks, including previous issues with overlapping charges and disputes over document service.

Binance Challenges Legal Service

A key issue in the tax case is how Binance was served, with the FIRS claiming it legally notified the exchange via email but Binance arguing that, as a foreign company with no physical office in Nigeria, such service is invalid. A court had previously annulled the email-based notice, leading to more delays as the sides argue over proper procedure.

Nigeria has been cracking down on crypto platforms since early 2024, banning naira-based trading on Binance and accusing the exchange of contributing to currency instability. The government has since accused Binance of causing “economic distortion” and hinted at possible penalties exceeding $80 billion.

The post Missing Judge Delays Binance’s Nigerian Case appeared first on FullyCrypto.

---

Filed under: Bitcoin - @ July 23, 2025 9:26 am