The Federal Government has dismissed the allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive who was recently tried in Nigeria for financial crimes.
Gambaryan, had alleged that Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, sought to personally benefit from Nigeria’s dispute with Binance. He claimed that Mr Ribadu hired a US law firm to negotiate his release from detention while in Nigerian custody but the move failed due to their “incompetence and greed”.
According to him “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 claimed that the NSA “overstepped” his authority and “embarrassed” Nigeria in front of the then-US 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,” Mr Gambaryan said.
He also claimed that Mr Ribadu, a renowned anti-corruption chief who led some negotiations with the Binance team, overestimated his influence, thinking “they could secure a quick win, but instead, they created an international incident, exposing his incompetence on a global scale.”
Mr. Gambaryan also accused Nigerian lawmakers, Philip Agbese, Ginger Obinna Onwusibe and Peter Akpanke of demanding a $150 million bribe from him.
But in a statement issued on Friday, by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government labelled his claims as “outrageous falsehoods” and urged the public to disregard them entirely.
The statement was titled, “Disregard Falsehoods Being Peddled by Tigran Gambaryan against Nigerian Government Officials – FG.”
“The Federal Government of Nigeria notes with concern the outrageous allegations, misinformation, and defamatory statements being disseminated by Tigran Gambaryan, an American personnel of Binance who was recently tried in Nigeria for financial crimes,” the statement read.
Addressing claims made by Gambaryan regarding an alleged bribery attempt, the government emphasised that his initial visit to Nigeria was entirely discretionary and not sanctioned by any government entity.
However, once the alleged incident was brought to the government’s attention, an investigation was promptly initiated.
“The first visit by Mr. Gambaryan and his colleagues to Nigeria was discretional on their part and government was not officially involved.
“However, when the attention of the government was called to an alleged bribery demand during that trip, an investigation was immediately opened into it though there was no formal complaint by anyone,” the government clarified.
Gambaryan’s second visit, the government explained, was tied to a broader investigation into the alleged criminal manipulation of the Nigerian currency through peer-to-peer platforms like Binance.
However, authorities claimed that their efforts were hindered by what they called obstructionist tactics.
“Mr. Gambaryan’s second visit to Nigeria was part of a wider probe into the criminal manipulation of the Nigerian currency through peer-to-peer platforms like Binance, but investigators were frustrated by the tactics deployed by Gambaryan and his team,” the statement added.
The statement also sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding Gambaryan’s release in October 2024, asserting that it was a goodwill gesture on humanitarian grounds following negotiations with the U.S. government.
“Mr. Gambaryan was released by the Nigerian government in October 2024 on humanitarian grounds and following a high-level diplomatic intervention that ended with tangible benefits for Nigeria.
“The government rejected Binance’s offer of a $5 million down payment in exchange for Mr. Gambaryan’s freedom, in favour of a more beneficial settlement with the American government,” it said.
“We categorically deny the retaliatory claims made by Gambaryan against Nigerian officials involved in his case, and we urge the public to disregard these false accusations in their entirety,” the statement read.
The government further suggested that Gambaryan’s motive was to “discredit and intimidate” those who ensured he was held accountable for his alleged financial misconduct.
“It is essential to note that Mr. Gambaryan’s allegations are not only unsubstantiated but also lack credibility, given his apparent motive to discredit and intimidate those who ensured he faced justice,” it stated.
Despite this, the Nigerian government expressed confidence in the legal systems of both Nigeria and the United States, emphasising that Gambaryan would have his day in court.
The statement further noted, “However, we are confident that both the Nigerian and American judicial systems will provide Mr. Gambaryan with a fair opportunity to substantiate his claims in court.
“Until then, we advise the public to exercise caution and not be swayed by Mr. Gambaryan’s unfounded and malicious claims.”
Gambaryan, who spent eight months in a Nigerian detention facility over alleged corruption, has identified three Nigerian lawmakers who allegedly demanded a bribe of $150m from him.
Mr. Gambaryan and another Binance official were detained by the Nigerian government for alleged money laundering and fostering criminal activity in Nigeria. He was released after the charges were dropped, following intervention from the US government.
