By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
The Nigerian government has issued a strong statement dismissing recent accusations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an American official at Binance, following his trial in Nigeria for financial crimes.
The government describes Gambaryan’s claims as outrageous, defamatory, and misleading, urging the public to disregard his statements.
In a press release, the Federal Government clarified that Gambaryan and his colleagues visited Nigeria voluntarily, with no official involvement from the government.
However, when an alleged bribery demand surfaced during the visit, the Nigerian authorities swiftly launched an investigation, despite the absence of a formal complaint.
Gambaryan’s second trip to Nigeria, according to the government, was part of a broader investigation into criminal activities related to the manipulation of the Nigerian currency through platforms like Binance.
The statement alleges that Gambaryan and his team used tactics to obstruct the investigation, which frustrated Nigerian officials.
In October 2024, Gambaryan was released from custody on humanitarian grounds following high-level diplomatic intervention, which the Nigerian government claims resulted in tangible benefits for the country.
The statement revealed that Nigeria rejected a $5 million offer from Binance for Gambaryan’s release, instead choosing a more advantageous agreement with the U.S. government.
The government categorically denied Gambaryan’s retaliatory accusations against Nigerian officials, stating that his claims are baseless and motivated by a desire to discredit those who ensured he faced legal consequences.
They also expressed confidence that both Nigerian and American courts would provide Gambaryan with a fair chance to present evidence supporting his claims.
Until then, the Nigerian government urged the public to exercise caution and dismiss the unsubstantiated allegations made by Gambaryan.