World’s largest cryptocurrency trading platform, Binance, says the detention of its official, Tigran Gambaryan, in Kuje Prison is outrageous and called on Nigerian authorities to free him.

“We are deeply disappointed that Tigran Gambaryan, who has no decision-making power in the company, continues to be detained,” Binance said in a statement on Monday. “It’s outrageous that he would be remanded in a prison such as Kuje Correctional Facility.” 

Binance said “charges against Gambaryan are meritless,” adding that he should be freed while the firm continues negotiations with the Nigerian government.

On Monday, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court declined Mr Gambaryan’s oral application to change his holding facility from Kuje prison to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Mr Gambaryan, a United States citizen who heads Binance’s financial crime compliance department, pleaded not guilty to a five-count money laundering charge on Monday.

Following the court ruling, Mr Gambaryan will remain in Kuje prison until the court reconvenes to determine whether or not he should be released on bail and possibly provide a list of conditions for the bail, if granted. The matter is scheduled to proceed to trial on May 2.

Last week, Binance revealed that Mr Gambaryan trained 70 Economic Financial Crimes Commission officials and helped the antigraft agency recover $400,000 for Nigeria before National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu ambushed and arrested him and Nadeem Anjarwalla while on an official visit to Nigeria.

Mr Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, escaped from lawful custody on March 22 and flew out of the country.