Mr Tigran Gambaryan, a top official of Binance, on Saturday, February 15, 2025 insisted that he maintained his position on the bribery allegations against some Nigerian government officials and House of Representatives members.
Gambaryan asserted that despite the denial by the federal government, he insisted that the Nigerian officials he mentioned demanded bribes from him.
He explained that being dragged through court on “outrageous, baseless, and trumped-up” charges didn’t just hurt him, but also brought immense pain to his family.
In his words “I don’t want to see my kids cry because I’m not around. I don’t want to see videos of my 75-year-old mother on television in tears. I don’t want to see my wife crying on TV. I want to put this nightmare behind me and move on,” he said.
Gambaryan, who is head of financial crime compliance of Binance was detained in Nigeria from February to October 2024 as the Nigerian government said his arrest was part of a broader investigation into alleged money laundering and economic destabilisation attributed to Binance’s activities in the country.
However, Gambaryan took to X handle on Friday, February 14, 2025, and recounted what he described as his initial experience and pointedly said that some Nigerian lawmakers demanded substantial bribes in cryptocurrency from him.
Gambaryan pointedly accused three lawmakers namely; Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe and Peter Akpanke of demanding a $150 million bribe from him to allegedly forestall his arrest and prosecution.
The Binance top executive also alleged that Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, sought significant payouts from Binance for his political ambition.
However, in a swift reaction, the minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris while dismissing Gambaryan’s accusations, described the allegations as “outrageous and defamatory”.
Idris said that the Nigerian government had rejected a $5 million offer from Binance intended to secure Gambaryan’s release, but instead opted for a more favourable settlement with the US government, adding that Gambaryan’s claims lacked credibility and appeared to be an attempt to discredit the Nigerian officials.
However, Gambaryan in his latest post on Saturday on his X handle, noted that the Federal Government used him as leverage to negotiate a beneficial settlement with the US government.
In the words of Gambaryan; “I was invited by the Nigerian FIU to a meeting in January. Last time I checked, they are part of the Nigerian government. House members also invited us to the meeting. Last time I checked, the legislative branch is also part of the Nigerian government.
“You said the second part was part of a probe? Lol. So when you invited us to a friendly meeting, you even lied about that. I was in a safe house for a month, watching TV, while you were trying to use me as leverage. You then panicked and knowingly charged me with blatantly false accusations.
“So I was released on humanitarian grounds? At least you’re finally admitting the need to release me. Last time you posted, you claimed my health was fine and that there was nothing wrong with me.
“You investigated? Yet you didn’t take a statement from me? A person with direct knowledge. What a joke. You dragged my name through the mud for the past year with zero evidence against me, nearly killed me, and caused trauma to my family.
“And now you have the nerve to talk about defamation? I’ll put my credibility on the line anytime. In court? You mean like last time, when your attorneys didn’t even show up to the human rights suit in Abuja?
“Get your facts straight. I am done with this foolishness. I said my part. I’ll be off Twitter now since it’s pointless to argue with evil,” he stressed.
Gambaryan maintained that his claim was factual in spite of the denials, saying that what he shared was factual based on his personal experiences and conversations with those who have direct knowledge of the events he discussed based on information that was shared with both Nigerian and US law enforcement.
Gambaryan further said; “So please, allow me to leave this behind and find peace,” adding that it was the responsibility of law enforcement agents in both Nigeria and the US to see the investigation into the matter through.
Gambaryan said he was no longer in law enforcement, stressing that the responsibility of seeing the matter through to a logical conclusion now falls on those still serving in the United States and Nigeria.
According to Gambaryan; “Many requested that I stay on and provide further commentary on the issues I posted about yesterday (Friday). Here’s the hard truth: what I shared was meant to fill in the gaps left by Wired and NPR’s reporting.
“The reality is that last year was incredibly painful for me and my family. I dedicated my life to fighting crime as a Special Agent with the United States Department of the Treasury and as a compliance professional.
“It was an honour to serve my country and it was a blessing that they came to my rescue and mobilised the full force of the US Government when I was in need,” he said.
