The House of Representatives has dismissed bribery allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, describing them as an attempt to discredit Nigerian institutions and public officials.
Gambaryan, who was detained in Nigeria from February to October 2024 over alleged financial misconduct, recently claimed that three Nigerian lawmakers solicited a $150 million bribe in cryptocurrency.
He specifically named Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, while also alleging that National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu sought financial favors from Binance for political reasons.
In a statement on Saturday, February 15, House spokesperson Akin Rotimi refuted the claims, insisting that they were baseless and aimed at individual lawmakers rather than the institution itself.
“As an independent arm of government, the House upholds due process, the rule of law, and constitutional oversight. These allegations, which have been previously circulated, are targeted at individuals and not the institution,” Rotimi stated.
He further disclosed that the lawmakers mentioned have denied any involvement in such dealings and are taking legal steps to defend their reputations.
“One of the members has already instituted legal action to clear his name, while others affected have been encouraged to do the same in pursuit of justice and the protection of their reputations.”
Rotimi also highlighted that the Nigerian government, with support from the United States, had handled Binance-related matters through diplomatic channels.
He noted that Nigeria had prioritized national interests over external financial settlements, further questioning the credibility of Gambaryan’s allegations.
“Notably, in the course of high-level diplomatic discussions, the federal government of Nigeria has prioritized national interest over external commercial pressure, including rejecting financial settlement offers from Binance. These facts raise serious questions about the credibility and intent of the allegations.”
The House stressed that, given the ongoing legal proceedings and diplomatic engagements, it would refrain from further public statements on the matter.
However, it urged Nigerians to rely on verified facts rather than what it described as “recycled claims” meant to discredit public officials.
“The House remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of Nigeria’s democratic institutions,” Rotimi added.