Tigran Gambaryan, Head of Financial Crime Compliance at Binance, has accused three Nigerian lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe while he was in detention.
Gambaryan, along with his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, was detained by Nigerian authorities over alleged money laundering involving $35 million, a case initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Anjarwalla, who served as Binance’s Regional Manager for Africa, escaped custody on March 22, 2024. Gambaryan, however, was later released following U.S. government intervention.
Allegations Against Lawmakers
While in detention, Gambaryan claimed that some House of Representatives members demanded a bribe from him. Taking to his verified X account, he named Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe, and Peter Akpanke as those who allegedly made the request.
In his post, Gambaryan wrote:
“The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter. We met with them at their office on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our meeting with the House. They alluded to the fact that we had to comply with whatever the House members instructed us to do.”
“At the House meeting, three members were present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name.”
“They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150 million bribe, paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets. A Mickey Mouse operation at its best.”
Agbese Denies Allegations, Demands Evidence
Philip Agbese, who also serves as the Deputy Spokesman of the House, has strongly denied the claims, challenging Gambaryan to provide evidence.
Speaking on the issue, Agbese said:
“I am outraged by the false allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of the controversial crypto firm Binance, claiming that I was among those who demanded a $150 million bribe from him.”
“These allegations are false. I was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose. The leadership of the committee took the matter to court, and Binance has already apologised.”
Agbese further clarified his role, stating:
“Let it be on record that I am not a member of the Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes. I visited my colleague, Hon. Peter Akpanke, in his office, where he was meeting with some visitors about an activity of his committee, with Hon. Peter Anakwe, a committee member, present. We exchanged pleasantries and, in my usual manner as an avid pursuer of knowledge, discussed Binance’s activities. There was no demand for money from anyone.”
He added:
“It was during this visit to the office of Hon. Akpanke, with Hon. Anekwe present, that he told me they were interfacing with the Binance team from abroad over a referral to their committee. What transpired between them and the Binance executive after I left is not my concern.”
Agbese insisted he never met with Binance executives again after that encounter and did not attend any meetings with Binance, EFCC, or DSS regarding this matter.
Challenges Binance Executive to Provide Proof
Agbese demanded that Gambaryan provide evidence to support his claims or issue a public apology within seven days, warning of legal consequences.
“I demand that Tigran Gambaryan publishes any evidence linking Philip Agbese to this issue. If he fails to do so, he must retract his claims and apologize publicly, or face legal action from my lawyers.”
He also dismissed the claim that he had any connection to cryptocurrency:
“I have never used cryptocurrency. I do not have a crypto wallet anywhere in the world. I could not have asked for funds to be credited to a non-existent wallet.”
Agbese further alleged that foreign entities frequently target him, stating:
“This is not the first time I have been falsely accused by a foreign entity. The first was an allegation that I worked for the past government and the Armed Forces to promote Nigeria’s agenda. This only proves that some people are desperate to undermine public officials they see as nationalistic.”
Onwusibe and Akpanke Decline Comments
Ginger Onwusibe, who chairs the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, declined to comment when contacted, stating:
“I’m already in court with them on this same issue. I don’t need to respond again as I briefed the press on this last year when it happened.”
