Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly dismissed bribery allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, a former executive of Binance, labeling them as false, misleading, and defamatory.
Gambaryan, an American citizen, was arrested in Nigeria in February 2024 alongside his colleague, Anjarwalla, over financial crimes linked to Binance’s operations in the country. While Anjarwalla managed to escape custody, Gambaryan was detained and later charged with money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The $26 Billion Binance Scandal
The case against Binance gained momentum after the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, revealed that $26 billion had allegedly been funneled through the cryptocurrency platform without a trace.
However, after months of legal battles, the Nigerian government dropped all charges against Gambaryan and Binance. In October 2024, a court ordered his release from detention.
Bribery Allegations Against Top Nigerian Officials
Despite being freed, Gambaryan recently accused Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of attempting to extort him for a bribe to fund a political campaign.
Additionally, he alleged that three Nigerian lawmakers, including Philip Agbese, demanded a $150 million bribe, to be paid in cryptocurrency.
In response, Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, has challenged Gambaryan to provide evidence of the alleged bribe demand.
He also threatened legal action if Gambaryan failed to apologize within seven days.
Nigerian Government Sets the Record Straight
Following these allegations, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, issued a strongly worded statement refuting Gambaryan’s claims. The government clarified that:
- Gambaryan’s first visit to Nigeria was voluntary, and the government had no official involvement at that stage.
- Upon learning of alleged bribery demands, an investigation was launched—despite no formal complaint from Gambaryan or Binance.
- Gambaryan’s second visit was part of a broader probe into the manipulation of Nigeria’s currency through peer-to-peer cryptocurrency platforms like Binance.
- Investigators faced obstruction tactics from Gambaryan and his team, delaying the case.
- The Nigerian government rejected Binance’s $5 million settlement offer in favor of a more beneficial deal negotiated with the United States government.
Nigerian Authorities Dismiss Gambaryan’s Claims
The Nigerian government has urged the public to ignore Gambaryan’s accusations, calling them retaliatory and unfounded. The statement emphasized that:
“His allegations lack credibility and appear to be a deliberate attempt to discredit those who ensured he faced justice. The Nigerian and American judicial systems will provide him with a fair opportunity to substantiate his claims in court.”
Until then, the government is urging the public to remain cautious and not be misled by what they call “malicious misinformation.”
!
Leave a Reply