February 15, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives has reiterated commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, following bribery allegations by Tigran Gambaryan, Head of Financial Crime of cryptocurrency firm, Binance.
Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were arrested after arriving in Nigeria in February 2024 for discussions with government officials about Binance’s operations. They were arrested on charges of money laundering and tax evasion. While Anjarwalla escaped, Gambaryan spent eight months in Nigeria’s Kuje Correctional Centre. The charges were later dropped and he left the country in October 2024 due to health concerns and diplomatic pressure.
Writing Friday in post on X, Gambaryan alleged that some lawmakers, including Philip Agbese; the Head of the House of Representatives Committee on anti-corruption, Ginger Obinna Onwusibe; and the member representing the Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara, Peter Akpanke, demanded a $150 million bribe from him.
While Agbese described Gambaryan’s claims as part of a broader campaign by foreign entities to undermine public officeholders perceived as nationalistic, he challenged him to either provide evidence or retract his claims within seven days or face legal consequences.
But reacting through its Spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, the House of Representatives, on Saturday, said that the bribery allegations are directed at certain individual members of the House and not the institution of parliament.
The House reiterates commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, saying it will refrain from further comment in line with established parliamentary, judicial, and diplomatic principles, since the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction and remains the subject of ongoing diplomatic engagements.
It emphasised that the Federal Government’s rejection of financial settlement offers from Binance already raised questions about the credibility and intent of the allegations being peddled by Gambaryan.
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