Tigran Gambaryan, a prominent figure at Binance, has made serious allegations against Nigerian government officials and members of the House of Representatives. Despite the federal government’s denials, Gambaryan has stood by his claim that Nigerian officials solicited bribes from him. As the head of financial crime compliance for Binance, Gambaryan was detained in Nigeria from February to October 2024. The federal government stated that his arrest was part of a larger investigation into alleged money laundering and economic instability linked to Binance’s operations in Nigeria.
Allegations and Accusations
Recounting his experience on Twitter, Gambaryan detailed how Nigerian lawmakers requested substantial bribes in cryptocurrency. He specifically accused three legislators, Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe, and Peter Akpanke, of demanding a $150 million bribe to prevent his arrest and prosecution. Additionally, he claimed that Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, sought significant payouts from Binance for political purposes. Despite the seriousness of these allegations, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed Gambaryan’s claims as “outrageous” and “defamatory.” According to Idris, the Nigerian government refused a $5 million offer from Binance to secure Gambaryan’s release, choosing instead to negotiate a more favorable settlement with the US government. Idris suggested that Gambaryan’s accusations lacked credibility and appeared to be an attempt to discredit Nigerian officials.
In a recent post on the matter, Gambaryan criticized the Nigerian government for using him as leverage in negotiations with the US government. He expressed frustration over being detained in a safe house under false accusations, emphasizing the emotional toll this experience took on his family. Despite the government’s claims that his release was due to humanitarian reasons, Gambaryan demanded accountability for the trauma he and his loved ones endured. He called for transparency in the ongoing investigation, stressing the importance of law enforcement agencies in both Nigeria and the US to pursue the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.
Seeking Peace and Closure
Gambaryan reiterated the factual basis of his claims and emphasized the personal toll the ordeal had on him and his family. As a former Special Agent with the United States Department of the Treasury and a compliance professional, he highlighted the pain caused by the baseless charges brought against him. Gambaryan expressed a desire to move past the nightmare of the past year and find closure for himself and his loved ones. Acknowledging the support of the US government during his time of need, Gambaryan underscored the importance of putting the ordeal behind him and focusing on his family’s well-being.
In conclusion, while Gambaryan’s allegations have sparked controversy and drawn strong denials from Nigerian officials, his insistence on the veracity of his claims underscores the complexity of the situation. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the allegations will be addressed and whether Gambaryan will find the peace and closure he seeks.
