$150M Bribery Allegation: Agbese Demands Retraction and Apology From Gambaryan

By Chinedu Echianu

Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese has expressed outrage at allegations by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of the controversial crypto firm Binance, claiming that the lawmaker was among those who demanded a $150 million crypto bribe from him.

Gambaryan, a former U.S. law enforcement officer, was working for Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, when he was arrested in Nigeria in February 2024. He was charged with money laundering and tax evasion, as part of a sweeping investigation into the company.

The Binance Executive recently made startling allegations, naming three Nigerian lawmakers including Hon. Agbese, who he claimed allegedly demanded a $150 million bribe from him.

Gambaryan, who was detained in February 2024 and later released in October following diplomatic intervention from the US government, made the revelation in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

However, in a statement which he personally signed and made available to Democracy Radio, Agbese who represents Ado/Obadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency in Benue state, said the allegations are false as he was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose.

The statement read; “I visited my colleague, Hon. Peter Ankpanke, in his office, where he was meeting with some visitors about an activity of his committee, with Hon. Peter Anakwe, a member of the Committee present. We exchanged pleasantries and, in character with my person as an avid pursuer of knowledge, discussed Binance’s activities that did not include any demand from anyone.

“It was during this visit to the office of Hon. Peter Ankpanke, with Hon. Peter Anekwe present, that he told me they were interfacing with Binance Team from abroad over a referral to their committee. What transpired between the two of them and the Binance executive after I left the office is left to them. I never saw those visitors again after that chance meeting and did not afterwards attend any meeting with Binance executives, the EFCC, or the DSS.

“I am aware that when this issue was first raised, the Chairman of the Committee went to court and Binance apologized. So, all inquiries should be directed to the Committee, not to Hon. Philip Agbese.

“I have never used any cryptocurrency as I do not have a crypto wallet anywhere in the world, so I could not have asked for funds to be credited to a non-existent wallet.

“Gambaryan and his associate, who escaped from prison, should return to the EFCC and defend themselves. Instead of trying to implicate me, they should focus on addressing the allegations against them.
As a consequence of the foregoing, I demand that Tigran Gambaryan publishes any evidence that links Hon. Philip Agbese to the issue. The man has spewed many other lies in his report about the government demanding information on opposition elements and other outrageous claims. I further demand that, failing to provide evidence as stated, Tigran Gambaryan must cause a retraction of his malicious claims and publication and apologize to me within the next 7 days or face legal action from my lawyers.

“This is not the first allegation against me by a foreign entity. The first was that I work for the past government and the Armed Forces to promote Nigeria’s agenda, which shows the extent of desperation by entities that are interested in undermining public office holders they perceive as nationalistic.” The statement concluded.