Tigran Gambaryan, the Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, has accused three Nigerian lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe from him while he was detained in Nigeria for eight months on allegations of corruption. Gambaryan, who was released after the US government intervened, claimed that Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe, and Peter Akpanke, all members of the House of Representatives, made the demand.
According to Gambaryan, he and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were detained by Nigerian authorities and charged with money laundering involving $35 million. Anjarwalla escaped from custody, but Gambaryan was released after the US government intervened.Gambaryan alleged that the lawmakers demanded the bribe during a meeting, which was made to appear official with fake cameras and media. He claimed that the lawmakers asked for the bribe to be paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets.
Agbese, who is also the Deputy Spokesman of the House, denied the allegations, stating that he was not part of any meeting with Binance executives regarding money. He demanded that Gambaryan provide evidence to support his claims or face legal action.
Onwusibe chairs the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, declined to comment, stating that he is already in court with Binance on the same issue. Efforts to reach Akpanke for comment were unsuccessful.
