Crime
Binance executive discloses Nigerian lawmakers purportedly requesting a $150 million bribe.
Tigran Gambaryan, a high-ranking executive at Binance, has brought serious allegations against three members of the Nigerian legislature, accusing them of soliciting a staggering $150 million bribe from him.
This accusation was made public through a detailed post on his social media account, where he recounted the specifics of the incident.
Gambaryan, who found himself entangled in a legal quagmire in Nigeria over accusations of money laundering, asserted that the bribe demand came during his time in detention.
He named the legislators involved as Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe, each holding significant positions of influence. Interestingly, Ginger Onwusibe is notably recognized as the chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, potentially adding a layer of irony to the accusations, while Philip Agbese holds the role of the deputy spokesperson for the House.
Gambaryan provided a timeline of events, claiming the bribery proposal transpired during a meeting on January 5, 2024, at the office of the Department of State Services (DSS) just before another scheduled gathering at the House of Representatives.
He painted a picture of a carefully orchestrated setup, suggesting that the ambiance was manipulated to look official with the use of fake cameras and staged media, designed to lend an air of legitimacy to the proceedings.
In a modern twist, the payment method requested by the lawmakers was reportedly in cryptocurrency, highlighting the contemporary nature of the alleged corruption attempt.