In a dramatic turn of events, Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan has doubled down on his allegations that three Nigerian lawmakers demanded a staggering $150 million bribe to halt his arrest and prosecution over money laundering accusations. Despite strong denials from the lawmakers and the Federal Government, Gambaryan remains unwavering in his stance, insisting that his claims are based on factual events.
Reaffirming His Claims
Gambaryan, a former U.S. Department of the Treasury Special Agent and compliance professional, took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, where he publicly named three members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives—Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe, and Peter Akpanke—as those who allegedly solicited the bribe. His revelations sent shockwaves across political and financial circles, drawing swift rebuttals from the accused lawmakers and Nigerian authorities.
However, rather than retreating, Gambaryan followed up with another post on X on Saturday, reinforcing his claims. According to him, his statements are not mere speculation but are based on personal experiences and firsthand conversations with individuals possessing direct knowledge of the events. He further revealed that this information was shared with law enforcement agencies in both Nigeria and the United States.
‘The Responsibility Lies with Law Enforcement’
While making it clear that he no longer serves in a law enforcement capacity, Gambaryan stressed that it is now up to investigative authorities in both countries to take the matter to a logical conclusion. He maintained that his intention was to provide clarity and fill in gaps left by previous reports from international media outlets.
“The responsibility of seeing this through now falls on those still serving in the United States and Nigeria,” he stated.
A Year of Pain and Struggles
Gambaryan also shed light on the personal toll this ordeal has taken on him and his family. He described the past year as incredibly painful, particularly as he faced legal battles in Nigeria under what he calls “outrageous, baseless, and trumped-up charges.”
“Being dragged through court didn’t just hurt me, it also brought immense pain to my family. I don’t want to see my kids cry because I’m not around. I don’t want to see videos of my 75-year-old mother on television in tears. I don’t want to see my wife crying on TV. I want to put this nightmare behind me and move on,” he lamented.
Nigeria’s Response and Denials
Despite Gambaryan’s explosive allegations, the Nigerian lawmakers named in the scandal have vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Federal Government has also dismissed the claims, labeling them as unsubstantiated and aimed at discrediting Nigeria’s judicial processes. The accused legislators argue that Binance’s ongoing troubles in Nigeria are a direct result of its own financial misconduct and non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
Meanwhile, the controversy has sparked international scrutiny, with observers keenly watching how both the Nigerian and U.S. governments handle the situation. Given Gambaryan’s background in U.S. law enforcement and his continued insistence on the credibility of his allegations, the case could take on significant diplomatic dimensions.
What’s Next?
As the saga unfolds, questions linger about whether Nigerian authorities will initiate a transparent investigation into the bribery claims or dismiss them entirely. Additionally, with Gambaryan’s ordeal garnering attention from the U.S. government, there may be increased pressure on Nigeria to provide clarity and accountability.
For now, Gambaryan remains steadfast, but his plea for closure suggests a man eager to move past this chapter. Whether justice will be served, however, remains to be seen.
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