In a bombshell revelation, Tigran Gambaryan, a senior executive at Binance, has laid bare a series of corrupt practices and diplomatic missteps involving Nigerian lawmakers and law enforcement. Gambaryan detailed the events in a recent statement, shedding light on bribery demands, illegal detentions, and international repercussions.
Bribery Allegations and Fake House Meeting
Gambaryan accused Nigerian lawmakers of orchestrating a sham meeting to solicit a massive bribe from Binance. According to his account, the meeting took place after a preliminary gathering with Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) on January 5, 2024.
“At the House meeting, there were three members present,” Gambaryan recalled. “Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in.”
Gambaryan revealed that these lawmakers demanded a $150 million bribe in cryptocurrency, to be deposited in their personal wallets. “A Mickey Mouse operation at its best,” he quipped.
Diplomatic Fallout and International Embarrassment
Gambaryan’s detention became a diplomatic flashpoint. He claimed that Ribadu, a Nigerian official involved in the affair, sought billions in payouts to fund future political ambitions. However, the scheme backfired, drawing international scrutiny.
“Ribadu overstepped his authority and embarrassed Nigeria in front of U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan,” Gambaryan explained. “The U.S. limited visas to the Nigerian delegation for UNGA, and Biden refused to meet with Tinubu until my situation was resolved.”
According to Gambaryan, Ribadu even hired a U.S. law firm to negotiate his release. The effort failed. “They thought they could secure a quick win, but instead, they created an international incident,” Gambaryan said. “Ribadu acting like an asshole angered the White House.”
Exaggerated Financial Figures
One of the key points of contention between Binance and Nigerian authorities was the alleged disappearance of $26 billion. Gambaryan dismissed the figure as a fabrication.
“This money didn’t leave Nigeria—it was just people buying and selling crypto,” he explained. “For example, if you trade $100 a hundred times, that’s $10,000 in trade volume, but in reality, you only used $100.”
The Nigerian officials reportedly used the inflated number to justify a broader investigation and crackdown on Binance. “Just another example of them lying to cover up their BS investigation,” Gambaryan said.
Nadeem’s Escape and Illegal Detention
Another contentious issue was the escape of Binance employee Nadeem, who fled Nigerian custody. Gambaryan refuted claims that Nadeem escaped during mosque prayers. “In reality, he returned and escaped afterward,” he clarified. “It’s possible he paid someone off, but I have no proof.”
Gambaryan alleged that his own detention, along with Nadeem’s, was illegal from the outset. He accused Belloji, a key law enforcement figure, of fabricating evidence to secure a court order for their detention. When the order expired, authorities allegedly continued holding them without legal grounds.
“They tried to use us to violate international privacy laws by demanding user data on all Nigerians to target opposition members,” Gambaryan said. He added that the real reason behind the naira’s devaluation was Tinubu’s monetary policy. “Instead of acknowledging this, they used Binance as a scapegoat.”
Negligence and Diplomatic Crisis
Gambaryan pointed to numerous failures on the part of Nigerian law enforcement. “If anyone should have been detained, it was Belloji, for multiple basic law enforcement failures, incompetence, and negligence,” he said. These failures included:
Failing to search belongings
Not checking passports for visas
Neglecting to issue travel alerts through immigration
Mishandling the situation internationally, creating a diplomatic crisis
He also accused officials of detaining innocent EFCC detectives and pressuring hospital staff to deny him medical care. “They even threatened administrators at Nizamiya Hospital, instructing them not to admit me when I was extremely ill,” Gambaryan claimed.
Attempted Manipulation of International Talks
Nigerian authorities allegedly sent false communications to the U.S. Embassy and the British High Commission, claiming that Binance was voluntarily participating in strategic talks. “This was a blatant lie,” Gambaryan said.
Broken Cooperation
Before the scandal erupted, Binance reportedly enjoyed a cooperative relationship with Nigerian law enforcement. However, Gambaryan lamented that this trust was shattered. “Their greed destroyed all cooperation between Nigeria and the entire industry.”
Final Words
Reflecting on his experience, Gambaryan expressed disappointment with Nigeria’s leadership. “I met amazing people in Nigeria. It’s a shame that these muppets are in charge.”
Gambaryan’s statement paints a damning picture of corruption and incompetence within Nigeria’s government and law enforcement agencies. With allegations ranging from bribery to international embarrassment, the fallout from this scandal is likely far from over.
