Corruption Storm: FG Reacts To Lawmakers’ $150M Bribe Scandal, Pledges Fair Probe

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to dismiss the alleged falsehoods being spread by Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, against members of the National Assembly.

Gambaryan recently reaffirmed his claim that certain lawmakers from the House of Representatives demanded a $150 million bribe to facilitate his release.

In a post on his handle on Friday, titled ‘Some Unknown Facts’, the Binance executive accused House members Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe—allegedly in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS)—of requesting the bribe in cryptocurrency to their wallets.

Responding through a statement issued on Friday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the allegation as baseless and misleading.

Idris clarified that Gambaryan and his colleagues initially traveled to Nigeria of their own accord, without any official government involvement. However, when allegations of bribery surfaced during that visit, the government promptly launched an investigation into the matter.

He further explained that Gambaryan’s subsequent visit to Nigeria was linked to a broader investigation into the alleged criminal manipulation of the Nigerian currency through peer-to-peer trading platforms like Binance. However, according to Idris, investigative efforts were hindered by tactics employed by Gambaryan and his team.

Idris emphasized that the claims against government officials lack credibility, but assured that both the Nigerian and American judicial systems would provide Gambaryan a fair opportunity to present evidence supporting his allegations in court.

The statement reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria expresses deep concern over the outrageous allegations, misinformation, and defamatory remarks propagated by Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and Binance executive recently detained and prosecuted in Nigeria.

“While the Nigerian government is reluctant to engage directly with Mr. Gambaryan, especially given the high-level diplomatic efforts that resolved his case, it is necessary to set the record straight and prevent the spread of falsehoods.

“His first visit to Nigeria was entirely voluntary, with no official government involvement. However, when allegations of bribery demands emerged during that trip, an investigation was swiftly initiated—even in the absence of a formal complaint.”