The Federal Government has strongly rejected the bribery allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance official, against some lawmakers.
The government described his claims as “outrageous,” “misleading,” and “defamatory.”
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris addressed the issue, stating that the government is compelled to set the record straight to prevent misinformation from spreading.
He emphasized that while Nigeria is reluctant to engage Gambaryan due to high-level diplomatic efforts that led to his release and pardon, his claims must be debunked.
The minister clarified that Gambaryan’s first visit to Nigeria was discretionary, with no official government involvement. However, after reports emerged of a bribery demand, an investigation was immediately launched, even though no formal complaint was filed.
On Gambaryan’s second visit, the government was probing the criminal manipulation of the Nigerian currency through peer-to-peer platforms like Binance. Idris stated that investigators faced deliberate resistance from Gambaryan and his team, frustrating the process.
The minister noted that Gambaryan was released in October 2024 on humanitarian grounds after high-level diplomatic negotiations that yielded significant benefits for Nigeria.
The government rejected Binance’s offer of a five-million-dollar down payment for his freedom, opting instead for a more favorable settlement with the United States.
He dismissed Gambaryan’s claims of retaliation by Nigerian officials, describing them as false and lacking credibility. The government urged the public to disregard the allegations, labeling them as an attempt to discredit those who ensured he faced justice.
Idris expressed confidence that both Nigerian and American judicial systems would provide Gambaryan an opportunity to present his claims in court. Until then, the government advised the public to be cautious and not be swayed by what it described as unfounded accusations.
Crediblenewsng.com
