The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss Binance Holdings Limited’s application seeking to vacate an earlier ex-parte order that allowed the tax agency to serve court documents through substituted means.
Binance, along with its representatives Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, is facing a lawsuit filed by FIRS, demanding $79.5 billion in damages for economic losses allegedly caused by the company’s operations in Nigeria.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on February 11, had granted FIRS permission to serve its originating summons and accompanying documents via email, citing Binance’s lack of physical presence in Nigeria.
The decision came after FIRS lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), argued that the cryptocurrency firm’s absence from Nigeria hindered the standard service process.
Binance’s legal representative, Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), filed a motion on April 4, urging the court to set aside the ex-parte order, arguing that the tax agency had violated court rules on service protocols.
Binance requested the court to invalidate the electronic service and grant relief in its favor.
In response, FIRS filed a counter-affidavit on April 14, arguing that Binance’s claims were false and misleading.
He cited instances where Hughes had appointed legal representation in Nigeria, confirming her active role in receiving official court communications.
Additionally, FIRS noted that the agency attempted to serve court documents directly on Binance’s representative, Tigran Gambaryan, while he was detained at Kuje Correctional Centre, but Binance directed that documents be served through its legal representatives, Aluko & Oyebode.
The tax agency emphasized that Binance had adequate knowledge of the legal proceedings, evident from its legal team’s appearance in court, and urged the court to dismiss Binance’s application in the interest of justice.
Binance, along with its representatives Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, is facing a lawsuit filed by FIRS, demanding $79.5 billion in damages for economic losses allegedly caused by the company’s operations in Nigeria.
The court has scheduled May 12 for the next hearing, where it will deliberate on Binance’s motion against FIRS’s substituted service process.