Tigran Gambaryan, Binance high official, has alleged that Nigerian lawmakers, Philip Agbese, Ginger Obinna Onwusibe and Peter Akpanke demanded a $150 million bribe from him.
Agbese is the deputy spokesperson for the Home of Representatives. Onwusibe, the member representing the Obanliku/Obudu /Bekwara, heads the Home Committee on anti-corruption and Akpanke represents the Obanliku/Obudu /Bekwara.
Mr. Gambaryan and one other Binance official have been detained by the Nigerian authorities for alleged cash laundering and fostering felony exercise in Nigeria. He was launched after the costs have been dropped, following intervention from the US authorities.
Whereas in detention, Gambaryan had accused some lawmakers of demanding bribe from him to stave off his arrest and prosecution.
Gambaryan stated, “The DSS was concerned within the Home of Representatives matter. We met with them at their workplace on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our assembly with the Home of Representatives. They alluded to the truth that we needed to adjust to regardless of the Home members instructed us to do.
“On the Home assembly, there have been three members current. Two of them have been Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, each working below the management of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. There was a 3rd Home member, however I don’t recall his title.
“They arrange faux cameras and media to make the assembly seem official, however the cameras weren’t even plugged in. As you might already know, this ended with them asking for a $150 million bribe, paid in cryptocurrency into their private wallets. A Mickey Mouse operation at its greatest.”
Hon. Agbese Reacts
Hon. Agbese, in a press release nevertheless denied the allegations.
In response to him: “These allegations are false. I used to be not a part of any assembly with any Binance govt relating to cash for any objective. The management of the Committee took the matter to courtroom, and Binance has already apologized.”
“It was throughout this go to to Hon. Peter Ankpanke’s workplace, with Hon. Peter Anekwe current, that I discovered they have been interfacing with the Binance staff over a referral to their Committee,” he defined. “I by no means noticed these guests once more after that probability assembly and didn’t attend any additional conferences with Binance executives, the EFCC, or the DSS.”
“I’ve by no means used any cryptocurrency, as I should not have a crypto pockets wherever on the earth, so I couldn’t have requested for funds to be credited to a non-existent pockets,” he careworn.
“Gambaryan and his affiliate, who escaped from jail, ought to return to the EFCC and defend themselves. As an alternative of attempting to implicate me, they need to deal with addressing the allegations towards them,” Agbese stated.
“I demand that, failing to offer proof, Tigran Gambaryan should retract his malicious claims and apologize to me throughout the subsequent seven days or face authorized motion from my legal professionals.”
Agbese additionally described the allegations as a part of a broader marketing campaign by international entities to discredit public workplace holders perceived as nationalistic.
“This isn’t the primary time makes an attempt have been made to smear my fame. I can’t enable baseless accusations to go unchallenged,” he concluded.