Binance Executive Gambaryan Accuses Three Nigerian Lawmakers of $150M Bribe Demand

Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, has made shocking allegations against three Nigerian lawmakers—Philip Agbese, Peter Akpanke, and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. According to Gambaryan, these lawmakers demanded a $150 million bribe, to be paid in cryptocurrency, in exchange for halting the government’s investigation into Binance.

Gambaryan detailed his experience in a lengthy social media post, claiming that the alleged bribe demand took place in an orchestrated meeting at the House of Representatives. He stated that the meeting was staged to appear official, with non-functional cameras set up to give a false sense of legitimacy. He also accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of being aware of the House’s demands, as they allegedly instructed Binance officials to comply with whatever the lawmakers requested.

Nigerian Government Denies Bribery Claims

The Nigerian government has strongly rejected Gambaryan’s allegations, calling them false and defamatory. Minister of Information Mohammed Idris labeled the claims as “outrageous misinformation,” urging Nigerians and the international community to disregard them. He emphasized that the government’s actions against Binance were based on legitimate concerns over financial crimes and economic security, rather than any corrupt motives.

Idris further stated that Nigeria had already rejected Binance’s $5 million settlement offer, preferring instead to handle the case through official legal and diplomatic channels. He argued that Gambaryan’s claims were an attempt to discredit government officials involved in the prosecution of Binance’s executives. The government maintains that all actions taken against Binance were in line with due process and national security interests.

Lawmakers Respond to Bribery Accusations

Deputy House Spokesman Philip Agbese, one of the accused lawmakers, strongly refuted Gambaryan’s allegations. He stated that he was never involved in any financial negotiations with Binance executives and was not present at any meeting where bribes were solicited. Agbese admitted to a chance encounter with the Binance team while visiting his colleague, Peter Akpanke, but denied any wrongdoing.

Similarly, Peter Akpanke and Ginger Onwusibe have dismissed the accusations as baseless. They insisted that the House of Representatives’ engagement with Binance was purely in the interest of national security and financial regulation. The lawmakers accused Gambaryan of attempting to manipulate public perception and evade responsibility for Binance’s alleged illegal activities in Nigeria.

Gambaryan Details Alleged Illegal Detention and Binance Investigation

Beyond the bribery allegations, Gambaryan also made serious claims about his detention in Nigeria. He revealed that he was held under questionable circumstances, with authorities fabricating evidence to justify his prolonged stay in custody. He accused National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other government officials of misleading the public about Binance’s financial operations in Nigeria.

According to Gambaryan, Nigerian authorities falsely claimed that Binance facilitated the illegal transfer of $26 billion out of the country. He described this as a misrepresentation of trading volume data, arguing that the figure was a mere reflection of cryptocurrency transactions on the platform rather than actual capital flight. He also alleged that Nigerian officials knowingly spread misinformation to justify their actions against Binance.

Gambaryan’s Release and Ongoing Controversy

Gambaryan was eventually released in October 2024, after spending eight months in detention. His release followed intense diplomatic pressure from the U.S. government, which expressed concerns over his health and the conditions of his imprisonment. Despite his release, the controversy surrounding his case remains unresolved.

The Nigerian government continues to insist that Gambaryan’s claims lack credibility and should not be taken seriously. Officials argue that his allegations are motivated by a desire to undermine the legitimacy of the legal actions taken against Binance. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether Gambarya will pursue legal action against the Nigerian authorities or whether the accusations will fade into political and diplomatic history.