Tigran Gambaryan, Binance top official, has alleged that Nigerian lawmakers, Philip Agbese, Ginger Obinna Onwusibe and Peter Akpanke demanded a $150 million bribe from him.
Agbese is the deputy spokesperson for the House of Representatives. Onwusibe, the member representing the Obanliku/Obudu /Bekwara, heads the House Committee on anti-corruption and Akpanke represents the Obanliku/Obudu /Bekwara.
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.
While in detention, Gambaryan had accused some lawmakers of demanding bribe from him to stave off his arrest and prosecution.
Gambaryan said, “The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter. 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.
“At the House meeting, there were three members present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name.
“They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. 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.”
Hon. Agbese Reacts
Hon. Agbese, in a statement however denied the allegations.
According to him: “These allegations are false. I was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose. The leadership of the Committee took the matter to court, and Binance has already apologized.”
“It was during this visit to Hon. Peter Ankpanke’s office, with Hon. Peter Anekwe present, that I learned they were interfacing with the Binance team over a referral to their Committee,” he explained. “I never saw those visitors again after that chance meeting and did not attend any further meetings with Binance executives, the EFCC, or the DSS.”
“I have never used any cryptocurrency, as I do not have a crypto wallet anywhere in the world, so I could not have asked for funds to be credited to a non-existent wallet,” he stressed.
“Gambaryan and his associate, who escaped from prison, should return to the EFCC and defend themselves. Instead of trying to implicate me, they should focus on addressing the allegations against them,” Agbese said.
“I demand that, failing to provide evidence, Tigran Gambaryan must retract his malicious claims and apologize to me within the next seven days or face legal action from my lawyers.”
Agbese also described the allegations as part of a broader campaign by foreign entities to discredit public office holders perceived as nationalistic.
“This is not the first time attempts have been made to smear my reputation. I will not allow baseless accusations to go unchallenged,” he concluded.
