Binance’s Head of Financial Crimes Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, has strongly rejected a recent statement from the Nigerian government that attempted to discredit his serious allegations. The executive, who was detained in Nigeria for months, has now come forward with shocking claims regarding his experience, revealing details that have sparked widespread debate.
According to multiple reports, Gambaryan stated on Friday that three members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives demanded an astonishing sum of $150 million from him in exchange for securing his release while he was being held in the country. This explosive claim has raised concerns about corruption and ethical violations at the highest levels of the Nigerian government.
Additionally, Gambaryan made another startling allegation, claiming that Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, sought financial support for his political ambitions. These accusations have further intensified the controversy surrounding his detention, leading to questions about the motivations behind his prolonged imprisonment and the nature of his interactions with Nigerian authorities.
Furthermore, he categorically refuted the Nigerian government’s claim that Binance was responsible for the illegal movement of $26 billion out of the country. Gambaryan insisted that such allegations were baseless and aimed at diverting public attention from the real issues at hand. His firm denial has sparked debate over the accuracy of the government’s narrative and whether there is substantial evidence to support such claims.
In response to these damning allegations, the Nigerian government, through a statement signed by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, urged the public to completely disregard Gambaryan’s accusations. The government maintained that the claims were false, asserting that there was no truth to the Binance executive’s statements. However, Gambaryan has doubled down on his remarks, insisting that he is telling the truth about what transpired during his detention.
Taking to his 𝕏 handle (formerly Twitter), Gambaryan responded to the Nigerian government’s statement, making it clear that he saw no point in arguing with what he described as "evil." He emphasized that his goal was to present the facts so that the public could be informed about what really happened behind closed doors.
His words: “Maybe you should take the time to get your facts straight before posting. I was invited by the Nigerian FIU to a meeting in January. Last time I checked, they are part of the Nigerian government. House members also invited us to the meeting. Last time I checked, the legislative branch is also part of the Nigerian government.”
Gambaryan further questioned the integrity of the Nigerian authorities, challenging their claims about the nature of his meetings and detention. He expressed disbelief that what was initially labeled as a “friendly meeting” turned out to be a ploy to detain him under false pretenses.
“You said the second part was part of a probe? Lol. So when you invited us to a friendly meeting, you even lied about that?” he asked, ridiculing the official narrative put forward by the government.
He went on to criticize the tactics allegedly used by the Nigerian authorities to detain him, claiming that he was subjected to psychological distress and held under questionable circumstances. He described how he was placed in a “safe house” for a month, left with nothing to do but watch television, while the government allegedly used him as leverage for their own agenda.
“A tactic deployed by Gambaryan and his team? What are you talking about? I was in a safe house for a month, watching TV, while you were trying to use me as leverage. You then panicked and knowingly charged me with blatantly false accusations.”
The Binance executive also took aim at the government’s claim that his eventual release was on humanitarian grounds. He pointed out the inconsistencies in their statements, highlighting that at one point, officials claimed his health was perfectly fine, only to later admit the necessity of his release.
“So I was released on humanitarian grounds? At least you’re finally admitting the need to release me. Last time you posted, you claimed my health was fine and that there was nothing wrong with me.”
Further condemning the government’s handling of the situation, Gambaryan noted that no official investigation had taken his statement into account. He questioned how a credible inquiry could be conducted without even speaking to the person at the center of the case.
“You investigated? Yet you didn’t take a statement from me? A person with direct knowledge. What a joke.”
In a final, damning remark, Gambaryan accused the Nigerian authorities of damaging his reputation, putting his life at risk, and traumatizing his family. He expressed outrage at their attempt to now accuse him of defamation, despite the ordeal he had endured.
“You dragged my name through the mud for the past year with zero evidence against me, nearly killed me, and caused trauma to my family. And now you have the nerve to talk about defamation?”
He concluded by stating that he was willing to stand by his words in court, but mocked the Nigerian authorities for their failure to show up at a previous human rights case in Abuja, implying that they were afraid to face scrutiny in a fair legal setting.
“I’ll put my credibility on the line anytime. In court? You mean like last time, when your attorneys didn’t even show up to the human rights suit in Abuja?”
Gambaryan then declared that he was done engaging in any further debates, stating that he had already spoken his truth. He made it clear that he saw no reason to continue arguing with those he deemed corrupt or dishonest.
“Get your facts straight. I am done with this foolishness. I said my part. I’ll be off Twitter now since it’s pointless to argue with evil.”
His statement has since ignited widespread discussions, with many questioning the Nigerian government’s actions and transparency in handling the Binance case. As the controversy unfolds, Gambaryan’s words continue to spark debates over corruption, justice, and the state of governance in Nigeria.