The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to disregard what it describes as false and misleading claims made by Mr. Tigran Gambaryan, an American employee of Binance.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, condemned Gambaryan’s allegations, calling them defamatory and untrue. While the government had initially refrained from responding,
Idris said it became necessary to correct the narrative to prevent misinformation from spreading.
Gambaryan’s Visits to Nigeria: Setting the Record Straight
The minister clarified that Gambaryan’s first visit to Nigeria was entirely at his discretion, with no official involvement from the government. However, when reports surfaced of an alleged bribery attempt during the trip, authorities promptly launched an investigation, despite no formal complaints being filed.
His second visit, according to Idris, was linked to an ongoing probe into alleged financial crimes, particularly the manipulation of the Nigerian currency through peer-to-peer trading platforms like Binance. The minister noted that law enforcement efforts were hindered by what he described as obstruction tactics from Gambaryan and his team.
Government’s Position on Gambaryan’s Release
Idris stated that Gambaryan was released in October 2024 on humanitarian grounds following high-level diplomatic negotiations that brought significant benefits to Nigeria.
He further revealed that the Nigerian government rejected Binance’s offer of a $5 million settlement in exchange for Gambaryan’s freedom, opting instead for a more favorable agreement with the U.S. government.
Denial of Retaliation Claims
The minister strongly denied Gambaryan’s accusations against Nigerian officials, describing them as baseless and aimed at discrediting those involved in his case.
“It is essential to note that Gambaryan’s allegations are not only unsubstantiated but also lack credibility, given his apparent motive to discredit and intimidate those who ensured he faced justice.” Idris stated.
He reassured Nigerians that both the Nigerian and American judicial systems would provide Gambaryan with the opportunity to present his claims in court.
“Until then, we advise the public to exercise caution and not be swayed by Gambaryan’s unfounded and malicious claims,”” Idris added
