Despite the federal government’s denial, Binance CEO Tigran Gambaryan has insisted that Nigerian authorities wanted a bribe from him.
From February to October 2024, Gambaryan, the chief of financial crime compliance for Binance, was held in detention in Nigeria.
The federal government claims that his detention was part of a larger probe into claims of financial distress and money laundering linked to Binance’s operations in Nigeria.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Gambaryan recounted his experience and said that certain Nigerian MPs requested large Bitcoin payments. He said that three MPs had asked for a bribe of $150 million.
Additionally, he claimed that Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, sought significant payouts from Binance for his political ambition.
In response, Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s minister of information and national orientation, dismissed Gambaryan’s allegations as “outrageous” and “defamatory”.
Idris said the Nigerian government had rejected a $5 million offer from Binance intended to secure Gambaryan’s release, opting instead for a more favourable settlement with the US government.
He said Gambaryan’s claims lack credibility and appear to be an attempt to discredit Nigerian officials.
Reacting in another statement on his X handle, the Binance official said the federal government used him as leverage to negotiate a beneficial settlement with the US government.
“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,” he said.
“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.
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“So I was released on humanitarian grounds? At least you’re finally admitting the need to release me. The 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? Do 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.”
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