The Nigerian government has denied claims by Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan that officials demanded bribes for his release. Minister of Information Mohammed Idris labeled the allegations as false and stated that Nigeria rejected a $5 million offer from Binance, opting for a more beneficial resolution with the U.S. government.
The Nigerian government has dismissed allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive at Binance Holdings Limited, regarding bribery demands by government officials.
Gambaryan, who was detained in Nigeria from February to October 2024 over Binance’s activities, alleged that three lawmakers, including Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, requested a $150 million cryptocurrency bribe. He also claimed that National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu sought billions from Binance for political purposes.
In response, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, refuted the claims, describing them as “false, outrageous, and defamatory.” He further stated that the Nigerian government rejected a $5 million offer from Binance for Gambaryan’s release, instead opting for a resolution that benefited Nigeria in its dealings with the U.S. government.
Idris clarified that Gambaryan’s initial visit to Nigeria was voluntary, and while allegations of bribery were investigated, no formal complaint was filed. His second visit was linked to a broader probe into Binance’s role in manipulating Nigeria’s currency through peer-to-peer transactions.
The minister emphasized that Gambaryan was released on humanitarian grounds following high-level diplomatic intervention. He urged the public to dismiss Gambaryan’s allegations, calling them an attempt to discredit those who ensured he faced justice.
Idris assured that both Nigerian and American legal systems would allow Gambaryan to substantiate his claims in court. He cautioned against being misled by what he described as “unfounded and malicious” accusations.
