The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly refuted the allegations and misinformation being spread by Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen and Binance executive recently tried in Nigeria for financial crimes.
The Federal Government made this known in a statement signed by Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation Friday night.
The statement reads, “While the government has refrained from engaging in public disputes over the matter, especially following high-level diplomatic interventions that led to his release, it is necessary to clarify the facts to prevent misinformation from spreading.
“Mr. Gambaryan’s initial visit to Nigeria, along with his colleagues, was undertaken voluntarily, without any official involvement from the government.
“When allegations of bribery surfaced during this trip, an investigation was immediately launched, despite no formal complaint being filed.
“His subsequent visit was in connection with a broader investigation into the criminal manipulation of Nigeria’s currency via peer-to-peer platforms like Binance.
“However, the inquiry was hampered by the obstructive actions of Mr. Gambaryan and his team.
“In October 2024, the Nigerian government released Mr. Gambaryan on humanitarian grounds after diplomatic discussions yielded a resolution that was in Nigeria’s best interest.
“The government categorically rejected Binance’s proposed $5 million payment in exchange for his release, instead securing a more advantageous agreement with U.S. authorities.
“The government firmly denies Mr. Gambaryan’s claims of retaliation by Nigerian officials and urges the public to disregard his accusations entirely.
“His statements lack credibility and appear to be an attempt to intimidate those responsible for ensuring justice was served.
“Both the Nigerian and American judicial systems will provide Mr. Gambaryan with an opportunity to present evidence for his claims.
“Until then, the public is advised to remain cautious and not be misled by baseless and misleading narratives”.