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BREAKING: $150 million Binance bribery scandal not directed at entire lawmakers – Spokesman
The Spokesman for the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi on Saturday reacted to the Binance bribery scandal, saying the allegation was directed at individual members of the House of Representatives and not the House as an institution by the Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan.
In a statement which he issued on Saturday, the House Spokesman Akin Rotimi gave a clarification, saying the public should stick to facts of the matter rather than unproven allegations.
CAPITAL POST reported that the Binance cryptocurrency Executive Tigran Gabaryan posted on his X handle on Friday and Saturday, alleging that Reps. Philip Agbese, Peter Akpanke and Ginger Onwusibe demanded the sum of $150 million to stop the arrest and prosecution of Gabaryan over allegation of his involvement in money laundering.
The House Spokesman said, one of the accused lawmakers has proceed to Court to clear his name, while he encouraged others to do the same in view of the weighty allegations against them in other to protect their reputation as lawmakers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As an independent arm of government, the House upholds due process, the rule of law, and constitutional oversight. These allegations, which have been previously circulated last year, are directed at individual members, not the institution itself.
“The Honourable Members named have assured the House Leadership that they never had any such dealings as reported. One of the members has already instituted legal action to clear his name, while others affected have been encouraged to do the same in pursuit of justice and the protection of their reputations,” Rotimi’s statement read.
He further stressed that since the matter is now before a competent court and remains a subject of diplomatic discussions, the House will refrain from making further comments in accordance with legal and parliamentary procedures. He also reassured Nigerians that the House remains committed to transparency, accountability, and protecting democratic institutions.
The controversy surfaced after Gambaryan alleged that three Nigerian lawmakers demanded a $150 million bribe to prevent his arrest and prosecution. He made these claims on Friday in a post on the social media platform X. The lawmakers named—Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe, and Peter Akpanke—have strongly denied the allegations.
Gambaryan, who was previously detained in Nigeria over money laundering accusations against Binance, claimed that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu also sought personal benefits from the dispute between Binance and the Nigerian government.
