The Nigerian Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has described bribery claims made by recently released Binance Company executive, Tigran Gambaryan, as falsehood, asking Nigerians to disregard them.
The minister stated this in a fresh reaction on X on Friday, prompting Gambaryan to again tackle the Nigerian government, saying they should “get your facts straight. I am done with this foolishness.”
SaharaReporters had reported during the week the barrage of claims made by Gambaryan which indicted serving federal lawmakers and other officials for allegedly demanding bribes to get the Binance executive released while he was incarcerated at the Kuje prison in Abuja.
Gambaryan, a former US federal agent and Binance employee had named three Nigerian lawmakers who allegedly demanded a $150million bribe from him.
Gambaryan, who was detained in February 2024 and later released in October following diplomatic intervention from the US government, made the revelation in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
While Gambaryan was in Nigerian prison, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Binance Holdings Ltd, Richard Teng alleged that Nigerian authorities demanded the sum of $150million in cryptocurrency as a bribe to make the money laundering trial initiated against two of its executives go away.
Meanwhile, in the release on Friday, the information minister noted that the government rejected Binance company’s offer of a $5million down payment in exchange for Gambaryan.
Idris said, “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.
“While the Federal Government of Nigeria is hesitant to engage Mr. Gambaryan, given the high-level diplomatic intervention that resolved his case, we are obliged to set the records straight to stop his falsehoods from gaining grounds.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“We categorically deny the retaliatory claims made by Mr. Gambaryan against Nigerian officials involved in his case, and we urge the public to disregard these false accusations in their entirety. 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.
“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.”
Reacting to the Nigerian government’s statement, Gambaryan replied, “Maybe you should take the time to get your facts straight before posting. 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? A tactic deployed by Gambaryan and his team? What are you talking about? 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.”
SaharaReporters
