Tigran Gambrayan, a Binance official held in detention for eight months by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, says the State Security Service (SSS) was involved in Nigerian lawmakers’ demand for $150 million from the cryptocurrency company, adding National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, “wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition.”
Mr Gambaryan disclosed this in a statement on his official X handle on Friday, explaining that the SSS asked them to comply with whatever the lawmakers instructed them to do.
“The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter,” said Mr Gambaryan. “We met with them at their office on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our meeting with the House of Representatives. They alluded to the fact that we had to comply with whatever the House members instructed us to do.”
Mr Gambaryan named Philip Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Pete Akpanke, the lawmaker representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe as the lawmakers who “set up fake cameras” to make the meeting appear official only to demand bribe paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets from Binance.
“At the House meeting, there were three members present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name.
“They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. 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,” Mr Gambaryan wrote.
Narrating Mr Ribadu’s involvement in his detention saga, Mr Gambaryan said, “Ribadu emphasised that he wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition. However, when the corruption scandal came to light, he was trapped—because any settlement would now be perceived as a bribe. I guess he really wanted his boss’ job.”
Berating Mr Ribadu, Mr Gambaryan said, “Ribadu overstepped his authority and embarrassed Nigeria in front of U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
“Ribadu acting like an asshole angered the White House and led to diplomatic repercussions—the U.S. limited visas to the Nigerian delegation for UNGA, and Biden refused to meet with Tinubu until my situation was resolved. In the end, Ribadu overestimated his influence. They thought they could secure a quick win, but instead, they created an international incident, exposing his incompetence on a global scale.”
Mr Ribadu could not be reached for comments. The spokesperson in the NSA office did not pick up calls seeking comments on Mr Gambaryan’s allegations. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to him are yet to be replied to.
Mr Gambaryan’s statement alleging the SSS’ involvement in lawmakers’ bribe demands followed his first interview in which he narrated the diplomatic moves behind his release from detention in October 2024.
The SSS temporarily shut down its media office and transferred its former spokesman to serve as state director in Ogun.
However, when contacted by The Gazette, Mr Agbese, one of the accused lawmakers, dismissed Mr Gambaryan as a “drowning man,” denying his involvement in the demand for a bribe from Binance.
“You know, when a man is drowning, he tries to hang on anything he sees. The allegations have been investigated by the Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes. They have addressed a press conference on the matter,” Mr Agbese said. “The matter is in court.”
He added, “The allegation is not strange knowing the kind of business Binance people are into. You know what cryptocurrency means? It is a transaction that takes place between two criminals, people who facilitate transactions between criminals. I’m not a party to that.”
Mr Onwusibe, another lawmaker Mr Gambaryan accused, said, “I am already in court with them, so I don’t want to speak on the matter again.”
However, Mr Akpanke could not be reached as his contact could not be found on the National Assembly’s website, where The Gazette found his colleagues’ contact.
