Binance’s Tigran Gambaryan Reaffirms $150m Bribery Allegation Against Nigerian Lawmakers

Binance Executive Claims Lawmakers Demanded Crypto Bribe to Halt His Arrest

Gambaryan Stands by Bribery Allegation Against Nigerian Lawmakers

Tigran Gambaryan, Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, has reaffirmed his claim that three Nigerian lawmakers demanded a $150 million bribe to prevent his arrest and prosecution in Nigeria over alleged financial crimes.

On Friday, Gambaryan publicly accused lawmakers Ginger Onwusibe, Philip Agbese, and Peter Akpanke of making the demand. He stated that they had requested the funds be transferred directly to their cryptocurrency wallets.

As of this report, both Onwusibe and Agbese have strongly denied the allegations and have threatened legal action to clear their names.

Gambaryan Shares His Experience and Family Struggles

In a follow-up post on X (formerly Twitter), Gambaryan elaborated on his claims, stating:

“Many asked me to provide further commentary on my previous statements. The truth is, what I shared was meant to fill in the gaps left by Wired and NPR’s reporting.”

He described 2024 as an extremely challenging year for him and his family. Gambaryan, who previously worked as a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, emphasized that the U.S. government intervened to assist him during his ordeal.

Reflecting on his incarceration, he expressed the emotional toll it had taken on his loved ones.

“Being dragged through court on baseless, fabricated charges didn’t just hurt me—it devastated my family,” he wrote.

He recalled the heartbreak of seeing his children cry, watching his 75-year-old mother in tears on television, and witnessing his wife break down in public.

“I want to move on from this nightmare. I stand by everything I said, as it is based on first-hand knowledge and direct conversations with those aware of the events. This information was also shared with both Nigerian and U.S. law enforcement agencies.”

What’s Next? Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigations

While Gambaryan maintains that his bribery allegations are true, the Nigerian lawmakers involved have denied any wrongdoing and may pursue legal action to defend their reputations.

The case has drawn international attention, with stakeholders in global financial compliance closely monitoring developments.

For more insights into global financial crime and compliance, visit Interpol’s Financial Crime Division. (Backlink from a reputable source)