President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, on Tuesday evening, placed a call to his Nigerian counterpart, President Bola Tinubu, where he expressed his gratitude to Nigeria for releasing the Binance Head of Financial Crimes Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, who had been detained in Nigeria since February and later charged alongside his company, Binance, with laundering $35.4million, and tax evasion.

In the 30-minute phone call, Biden also thanked Tinubu for dropping all the charges against Gambaryan, who is an American citizen.

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, who revealed this while briefing State House Correspondents on the 30-minute voice call between both leaders, said Biden also pledged the US will partner and collaborate with West Africa in numerous sectors especially in regards to security in West Africa.

“I have been directed by Mr President to brief you with regards to his phone call with US President Joseph Biden at about 4 pm today,” Tuggar said.

“The two leaders exchanged pleasantries and President Biden proceeded to thank President Tinubu for his partnership and for Nigeria’s partnership, and in particular, for the collaboration between the two countries with regards to…the release of one of the suspects of the cryptocurrency exchange company that we’re all aware of.

“The two leaders also discussed the issue of the permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council.

“President Biden, once again, assured that the United States is committed to seeing Africa having two permanent seats.

“He also reiterated that he does not see any reason why one of those seats should not belong to Nigeria, given its position in Africa, its stature and its importance,” he added.

He confirmed that Gambaryan has already left Nigeria after eight months of detention, and has reunited with his family.

Gambaryan, a senior Binance executive was detained in Nigeria in early 2024 during a crackdown on cryptocurrency activity by the Nigerian government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had
filed money laundering charges against him, which Binance and Gambaryan denied complicity.

However, his extended detention drew international attention, as his health reportedly deteriorated while held at Kuje Prison with US diplomats and lawmakers pushing for his release, emphasising both his declining health and the need for transparent proceedings.

Despite repeated bail applications, he remained in custody for nearly eight months, raising diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Nigeria but last week, an Abuja Federal High Court had discharged Gambaryan from the money laundering charges.

The lingering face-off between the Zambian government and former President Edgar Lungu has taken a new dimension after the police in Lusaka cordoned off the secretariat of the Patriotic Front (PF) located on Panganani Road to prevent the ex-Head of State from holding a scheduled media briefing.

Zambia Monitor reports that police officers, armed with anti-riot vehicles, surrounded the premises, denying entry to any individual, while officers were seen conducting security drills at the scene, preparing for potential unrest.

The report stated that the police presence at the PF Secretariat appears to be part of a broader clampdown that coincided with the 10th memorial of the late 5th Republican President Michael Sata, an annual service for Sata, conducted by Lusaka Archdiocese Catholic Bishop Dr. Alick Banda, which took place at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus at Pope Square.

“However, on Monday morning, police also blocked the entrances to the Cathedral, disrupting the memorial preparations. Bishop Banda and other church leaders were prevented from accessing the venue until around 10:00 a.m., when a compromise was reached with the police, allowing the service to proceed,” the reputable platform noted.

It added that PF faction Vice President Given Lubinda who addressed the situation, explained that Lungu’s absence at Sata’s memorial service would be clarified during the rescheduled media briefing at the PF Secretariat.

“Today marks a special day as we gather at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus to honor Michael Chilufya Sata. Our president, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, should have led, but he is not here, and I will not pre-empt the reasons because we have a press briefing tomorrow at the party Secretariat,” Lubinda stated.

“The memorial for Sata has historically been a significant event for PF members and supporters, underscoring the party’s legacy and connection to the late leader.

“However, this year, heightened security tensions and Lungu’s conspicuous absence have fueled speculation within political circles.

“In addition to sealing off the PF Secretariat, police have also cordoned off Embassy Park, where Lungu and PF faction leaders were scheduled to lay a wreath in honour of Sata.

“Heavily armed officers remain stationed at the park, restricting access and maintaining a watchful presence.

“The police’s actions have raised questions among PF members and supporters about the government’s stance toward opposition activities, as tensions within Zambian politics continue to escalate,” the Zambia Monitor said in the report.