Before deciding on the $150 million bribery claim made against three of its members by cryptocurrency giant Binance, the House of Representatives has cautioned the public to rely on confirmed facts.
Recall that on Friday, Tigran Gambaryan, the head of financial compliance at Binance, named three members of the House of Representatives—Ginger Onwusibe, Philip Agbese, and Peter Akpanke—as the Nigerian officials who demanded the bribe from him to prevent his arrest and prosecution for alleged financial crimes.
In separate press releases, Agbese and Onwusibe denied the allegations and promised to clear their identities via the legal system.
In its official reaction on Saturday via a statement signed by its spokesman, Akin Rotimi, the House urged the public not to allow itself to be swayed by what it called “Recycled claims,” targeted at Nigerian institutions and public servants.
The statement read in part, “The House of Representatives urges the public to rely on verified facts and not be misled by recycled claims aimed at discrediting Nigerian institutions and public officials. The House remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“As an independent arm of government, the House upholds due process, the rule of law, and constitutional oversight. These allegations, which have been previously circulated last year, are directed at individual members, not the institution itself.
“The Honourable members named have assured the House leadership that they never had any such dealings as reported. One of the members has already instituted legal action to clear his name, while others affected have been encouraged to do the same in pursuit of justice and the protection of their reputations.”
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The statement also said, “It is also important to highlight that, with the active involvement of both the Nigerian and United States governments, this matter has evolved into a government-to-government engagement. Notably, in the course of high-level diplomatic discussions, the Federal Government of Nigeria has prioritised national interest over external commercial pressure, including rejecting financial settlement offers from Binance.
“These facts raise serious questions about the credibility and intent of the allegations being peddled.”
The House further noted with the matter already before a court of competent jurisdiction and remains the subject of ongoing diplomatic engagements, it will refrain from further comment in line with established parliamentary, judicial, and diplomatic principles.
