Binance executive accuses Nigerian lawmakers of $150m crypto extortion attempt

In a shocking turn of events, Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, has reiterated his explosive allegations that three Nigerian lawmakers attempted to extort an astonishing $150 million in cryptocurrency to halt his arrest and prosecution.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) in a series of dramatic posts, Gambaryan directly named the legislators—Ginger Onwusibe, Philip Agbese, and Peter Akpanke—alleging they requested the massive sum to be transferred to their crypto wallets.

His revelations have sparked a political firestorm in Nigeria, with two of the accused swiftly denying the claims and threatening legal action.

The Nigerian government has also dismissed the allegations, with the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, categorically debunking Gambaryan’s assertions. However, the Binance executive continues to stand by his claims, describing his experience in Nigeria as both a personal and professional nightmare.

Speaking on Saturday, Gambaryan painted a distressing picture of his ordeal. The former U.S. Treasury Special Agent, who has spent his career combating financial crime, expressed the profound impact his detention has had on his family and well-being.

“The reality is that last year was incredibly painful for me and my family,” he wrote. “Being dragged through court on outrageous, baseless, and trumped-up charges didn’t just hurt me—it also brought immense pain to my family.”

His statements conveyed the raw emotions of a man who has endured significant hardship.

“I don’t want to see my kids cry because I’m not around. I don’t want to see videos of my 75-year-old mother on television in tears. I don’t want to see my wife crying on TV. I want to put this nightmare behind me and move on.”

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Gambaryan insists his claims are not mere speculation but are based on personal experiences and firsthand conversations. He asserts that both Nigerian and U.S. law enforcement agencies have been made aware of the situation, adding another layer of complexity to the already tense relations between Binance and Nigerian authorities.

While Nigerian lawmakers vehemently deny the allegations, the controversy raises pressing questions: Was Gambaryan a victim of a failed extortion attempt, or is this a case of political damage control spiraling into an international scandal?

“I am no longer in law enforcement,” he stated. “The responsibility of seeing this through to a logical conclusion now falls on those still serving in the United States and Nigeria.”

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Gambaryan further detailed the circumstances leading up to his detention, claiming he was invited to Nigeria by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in January.

“I was invited by the Nigerian FIU to a meeting in January. Last time I checked, they are part of the Nigerian government. House members also invited us to the meeting. Last time I checked, the legislative branch is also part of the Nigerian government,” he stated.

He continued his tirade against the Nigerian authorities, accusing them of misleading him about the nature of the meetings and using him as leverage.

“You said the second part was part of a probe? Lol. So when you invited us to a friendly meeting, you even lied about that?

“I was in a safe house for a month, watching TV, while you were trying to use me as leverage. You then panicked and knowingly charged me with blatantly false accusations.

“So I was released on humanitarian grounds? At least you’re finally admitting the need to release me. Last time you posted, you claimed my health was fine and that there was nothing wrong with me.

“You investigated? Yet you didn’t take a statement from me? A person with direct knowledge. What a joke.

“You dragged my name through the mud for the past year with zero evidence against me, nearly killed me, and caused trauma to my family. And now you have the nerve to talk about defamation?

“I’ll put my credibility on the line anytime. In court? You mean like last time, when your attorneys didn’t even show up to the human rights suit in Abuja?

“Get your facts straight. I am done with this foolishness. I said my part. I’ll be off Twitter now since it’s pointless to argue with evil.”