The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an American executive at Binance, who was recently tried in Nigeria for financial crimes. In a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government labeled Gambaryan’s claims as “falsehoods” and urged the public to disregard them.
According to the statement, Gambaryan accused Nigerian officials of bribery and misconduct. However, the government described his statements as “outrageous, misleading, and defamatory.” It stressed that, while Nigeria initially exercised restraint due to diplomatic considerations, it is now imperative to set the record straight.
The government clarified that Binance representatives, including Gambaryan, initially visited Nigeria on their own accord without official government involvement. Following allegations of bribery during their visit, authorities promptly launched an investigation, even though no formal complaint was filed.
Gambaryan’s second visit was linked to a broader probe into the alleged manipulation of the Nigerian currency through peer-to-peer trading platforms like Binance. The government claimed that the investigation was obstructed by “tactics” employed by Gambaryan and his team.
The statement further disclosed that Gambaryan was released in October 2024 on humanitarian grounds following a high-level diplomatic intervention between Nigeria and the United States. The Nigerian government rejected a $5 million payment offer from Binance for his release, opting instead for a more favorable resolution in negotiations with the U.S. government, which reportedly secured better benefits for Nigeria.
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The Nigerian government categorically denied any retaliatory actions against Gambaryan and dismissed his accusations as baseless. It asserted that his claims lack credibility and appear to be an attempt to intimidate officials who ensured he was held accountable.
The government expressed confidence that both the Nigerian and American judicial systems would provide a fair and transparent process. In the meantime, the public has been advised to remain cautious and not be swayed by Gambaryan’s “unfounded and malicious” assertions.
