$150M Bribery Scandal: Binance Executive Accuses Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker Agbese and Two Others

A new revelation has emerged as Binance’s head of financial crime, Tigran Gambaryan, alleged that three Nigerian lawmakers demanded a $150 million bribe from him while he was in detention.

Gambaryan, who was held in Nigeria for months over allegations of money laundering and aiding criminal activities, was released after the charges were dropped following U.S. government intervention.
 
On Friday, in a post via his X handle, the Binance executive identified the lawmakers as Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe.

During his time in custody, the Binance executive claimed that these lawmakers requested the bribe to prevent his prosecution.

MR Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. serves as the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption, while Phillip Agbese holds the position of deputy spokesperson in the House.

The House of Representatives had refuted allegations that any of its members sought bribes from Binance officials and attempts to get comments from the accused lawmakers are ongoing

Gambaryan’s post included specific details about the alleged demand, including the date and circumstances.

“The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter. We met with them at their office on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our meeting with the House of Representatives. They alluded to the fact that we had to comply with whatever the House members instructed us to do.

“At the House meeting, there were three members present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe.