Nigerian Government Dismisses False Claims By Tigran Gambaryan.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly refuted recent allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, a former Binance executive, regarding his legal troubles in the country. In an official statement, the government described his claims as false, defamatory, and an attempt to discredit Nigerian officials.
Gambaryan, an American national, was recently tried in Nigeria on financial crime charges. The government clarified that his initial visit to Nigeria, along with his colleagues, was made at their discretion, without any official involvement. However, when allegations of bribery surfaced during this trip, the authorities launched an investigation, despite the absence of a formal complaint.
His subsequent visit was part of a broader inquiry into the manipulation of Nigeria’s currency through peer-to-peer platforms like Binance. According to the government, his team employed obstructive tactics, which hindered investigations.
Despite these challenges, Nigeria released Gambaryan in October 2024 on humanitarian grounds, following diplomatic negotiations that resulted in significant benefits for the country. The government notably rejected Binance’s $5 million offer for his release in favour of a more advantageous agreement with the United States.
Dismissing his accusations as baseless, the government urged the public to disregard them entirely, stating that Gambaryan’s claims lack credibility and appear to be aimed at intimidating those involved in bringing him to justice.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the government’s confidence in both Nigerian and American judicial processes, assuring that any legitimate grievances could be addressed through appropriate legal channels.