A senior Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has accused Nigerian lawmakers and the State Security Service (SSS) of demanding a $150 million bribe from the cryptocurrency exchange. He also alleged that National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu sought billions of dollars to fund his political ambitions.
Gambaryan, who was detained in Nigeria for eight months, made these claims in a statement on his official X handle on Friday. He stated that the SSS was involved in the scheme and pressured Binance to comply with lawmakers’ demands.
SSS Pressured Binance to Obey Lawmakers
According to Gambaryan, the SSS made it clear that Binance had no choice but to follow the lawmakers’ instructions.
“The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter,” he wrote. “We met with them at their office on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our meeting with the House of Representatives. They alluded to the fact that we had to comply with whatever the House members instructed us to do.”
He named three lawmakers—Philip Agbese, Pete Akpanke, and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe—who allegedly staged a fake official meeting to demand a bribe.
“They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in,” Gambaryan claimed. “As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150 million bribe, paid in cryptocurrency, into their personal wallets. A Mickey Mouse operation at its best.”
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Ribadu Wanted Billions for Political Ambition
Gambaryan also accused NSA Nuhu Ribadu of demanding billions of dollars from Binance to finance his future political career.
“Ribadu emphasized that he wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition. However, when the corruption scandal came to light, he was trapped—because any settlement would now be perceived as a bribe. I guess he really wanted his boss’ job,” he said.
He further claimed that Ribadu’s actions embarrassed Nigeria on the global stage and strained diplomatic relations with the United States.
“Ribadu overstepped his authority and embarrassed Nigeria in front of U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Ribadu acting like an asshole angered the White House and led to diplomatic repercussions—the U.S. limited visas to the Nigerian delegation for UNGA, and Biden refused to meet with Tinubu until my situation was resolved,” Gambaryan stated.
Lawmakers Deny Allegations
When contacted, Philip Agbese dismissed the accusations, calling Gambaryan a “drowning man” trying to shift blame.
“You know, when a man is drowning, he tries to hang on to anything he sees. The allegations have been investigated by the Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes. They have addressed a press conference on the matter,” Agbese said. “The matter is in court.”
He also took a swipe at Binance, saying, “The allegation is not strange knowing the kind of business Binance people are into. You know what cryptocurrency means? It is a transaction that takes place between two criminals, people who facilitate transactions between criminals. I’m not a party to that.”
Another accused lawmaker, Ginger Onwusibe, declined to comment, stating, “I am already in court with them, so I don’t want to speak on the matter again.”
However, Pete Akpanke could not be reached, as his contact was not listed on the National Assembly’s website.
SSS and NSA Silent on Allegations
Attempts by Peoples Gazette to get comments from the office of the NSA were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson did not respond to calls or messages. The SSS also temporarily shut down its media office following Gambaryan’s initial interview about his detention and diplomatic efforts leading to his release.
Growing Controversy Over Binance Case
Gambaryan’s allegations add a new twist to the controversy surrounding Binance’s operations in Nigeria. The case, which has drawn international attention, has led to strained relations between Nigeria and Western governments.
As the matter continues to unfold, questions remain about the extent of corruption within Nigeria’s security and political institutions. The Binance executive’s claims may spark further investigations and put additional pressure on the government to respond.