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Tigran Gambaryan, a top executive at Binance Holdings Limited, has accused three Nigerian federal lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe during the company’s dispute with the Nigerian government.
Gambaryan, who was detained by Nigerian authorities from February to October 2024, alleged that the legislators requested the payment be made in cryptocurrency and deposited into their personal digital wallets.
Background of the Chase
The Binance executive, along with the company’s regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, was arrested in February 2024 after traveling to Nigeria for a meeting with government officials. The Nigerian government had accused Binance of manipulating foreign exchange (FX) rates, contributing to the instability of the country’s economy.
Anjarwalla later escaped custody in March 2024, leaving Gambaryan to face prosecution alone.
Gambaryan’s Allegations
In a post on social media platform X on Friday, Gambaryan disclosed that he and Anjarwalla had first met with Department of State Services (DSS) officials in January 2024. He claimed the meeting was a prerequisite for an audience with members of the House of Representatives, during which the DSS advised them to comply with any requests from the lawmakers.
At the House meeting, there were three members present. They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in," Gambaryan wrote.
"As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150 million bribe, paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets. A Mickey Mouse operation at its best."
Binance CEO’s Similar Allegations
This is not the first time Binance has accused Nigerian officials of bribery. In May 2024, Binance CEO Richard Teng alleged that unidentified persons in Nigeria had demanded $150 million in digital currency to settle the company’s legal
