Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, has accused three Nigerian federal lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe in cryptocurrency, which would be deposited into their personal digital wallets.
This allegation comes after Gambaryan’s detention by the Nigerian government from February to October 2024, due to Binance’s operations in the country.
Gambaryan claims that he and Binance’s regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, met with Department of State Services (DSS) officials in January 2024, who advised them to comply with the lawmakers’ requests. The meeting with the lawmakers allegedly involved fake cameras and media to appear official, but ultimately ended with the demand for a $150 million bribe.
The Nigerian government has denied these allegations, accusing Binance of attempting to blackmail the country. However, Gambaryan’s accusations are supported by Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, who also alleged that unidentified persons in Nigeria demanded $150 million in digital currency to resolve the company’s legal troubles.
The accused lawmakers include Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, who represent different constituencies in Nigeria. Gambaryan’s allegations have sparked controversy and raised questions about corruption and the use of cryptocurrency for illicit activities.
