The controversy surrounding the detention of Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan in Nigeria has taken a dramatic turn, as he has publicly accused three Nigerian lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe in exchange for his freedom.
Gambaryan, who served as Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, was detained for months by Nigerian authorities on allegations of money laundering and enabling financial crimes in the country. He was only released after diplomatic intervention from the U.S. government, which pressured Nigeria to drop charges against him.
Now free, Gambaryan has come forward with explosive claims. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, he named three members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives—Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe—as the individuals who allegedly attempted to extort the massive sum from Binance.
Ironically, Onwusibe is the chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, while Agbese serves as the deputy spokesperson of the House—roles that, in theory, should make them champions of transparency and accountability.
Gambaryan detailed a January 5, 2024, meeting that took place at the office of Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), where Binance representatives were reportedly told they had to “comply with whatever the House members instructed.”
“At the House meeting, there were three members present—Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, and Ginger Onwusibe. There was a fourth member, but I don’t recall his name,” Gambaryan wrote. “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.”
While the allegations have sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, the House of Representatives has previously denied any wrongdoing regarding Binance or its officials. So far, none of the accused lawmakers have responded publicly to the allegations.
The Nigerian government’s crackdown on Binance has been framed as an effort to curb financial crimes, but critics argue it is also a way to exert control over digital finance. The arrest of Binance officials sparked international outcry, with the U.S. government stepping in to secure Gambaryan’s release. His revelations now raise uncomfortable questions about whether his detention was ever about justice—or something else entirely.
If true, these allegations expose deep-seated corruption at the highest levels of government, reinforcing concerns that Nigeria’s anti-corruption rhetoric often does not match reality. The House of Representatives must now respond transparently to these claims, and independent investigations may be necessary to determine the truth.
For now, the Binance bribery saga is far from over.
