Binance’s top official, Mr. Tigran Gambaryan, has staunchly defended his $150 million bribery allegations against three Nigerian lawmakers, insisting that his claims are factual. Gambaryan, who serves as the Global Head of Intelligence and Investigations at Binance, made headlines on Friday after publicly naming three prominent members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives—Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe, and Peter Akpanke—as individuals who allegedly demanded a bribe from him to prevent his arrest and prosecution over money laundering accusations.
The allegations, posted by Gambaryan on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), quickly caused a stir, drawing both public attention and official denials from the implicated lawmakers. The accused representatives strongly rejected the bribery claims, dismissing them as unfounded and untrue. In addition, the Nigerian government also responded to the allegations, asserting that they were baseless. Despite the denials, Gambaryan has not backed down from his statement.
On Saturday, Gambaryan took to X once more to reiterate his position, insisting that his original post was nothing but the truth. He wrote, “What I shared was factual, based on my personal experiences and conversations with those who have direct knowledge of the events I discussed; information that was shared with both Nigerian and US law enforcement.”
Gambaryan’s initial post accused the lawmakers of demanding a staggering $150 million to help him avoid being charged with money laundering, which was allegedly related to Binance’s operations in Nigeria. The bribery claims, if proven true, would be a serious violation of both Nigerian and international law. However, Gambaryan’s insistence on the truth of his statement has fueled further controversy, as the Nigerian lawmakers maintain their innocence and the government continues to reject the allegations.
In his Saturday follow-up post, Gambaryan expressed a desire to move on from the situation, asking for peace and privacy after his public statements. He emphasized that the information he provided was not just based on his personal account but also on conversations with individuals who had direct knowledge of the events he described. Furthermore, he mentioned that this information had been shared with law enforcement authorities in both Nigeria and the United States, suggesting that the allegations were not made in isolation but were backed by official channels.
While the situation has created a firestorm in Nigerian political circles, it has also attracted attention internationally, particularly within the cryptocurrency industry. Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has faced various legal challenges in several countries, including Nigeria. The company has been under scrutiny for its operations, particularly regarding its compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.
The bribery allegations against the lawmakers, however, represent a new layer of controversy surrounding Binance’s operations in Nigeria. The unfolding drama has left many questioning the state of governance and corruption within Nigeria’s political system, while others are looking for further investigations to determine the veracity of Gambaryan’s claims.
Gambaryan’s continued insistence on the truth of his accusations, despite the widespread denials, has added to the complexity of the situation. As it stands, both Nigerian and U.S. authorities are likely to be under pressure to investigate the matter further, especially as Gambaryan’s claims have been shared with law enforcement in both countries. Whether the bribery allegations will lead to formal investigations or legal actions remains to be seen, but the controversy is sure to remain in the public eye for some time.
