FG dismisses Tigran Gambaryan’s allegations as baseless misinformation

By Kunle Sanni

The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly refuted allegations made by former Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, describing them as “outrageous falsehoods” aimed at misleading the public and tarnishing Nigerian officials.

In a statement from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government expressed concern over Gambaryan’s claims, especially after diplomatic efforts secured his release.

The government clarified that Gambaryan’s first visit to Nigeria was made independently, with no official involvement from Nigerian authorities. When bribery allegations surfaced, an investigation was launched, despite no formal complaint being lodged.

Gambaryan’s second visit was reportedly related to a broader probe into financial crimes, including alleged manipulation of Nigeria’s currency via Binance’s peer-to-peer platform. Investigators claimed Gambaryan and his team were uncooperative during the investigation.

The government stated that Gambaryan was released in October 2024 on humanitarian grounds after diplomatic negotiations led to a favorable outcome for Nigeria.

It also revealed that Binance had proposed a $5 million settlement for his release, which the government rejected in favor of a more beneficial agreement with the U.S. government.

The FG dismissed Gambaryan’s allegations as retaliatory and baseless, urging the public to disregard them.

“It is essential to note that Mr. 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,” the statement read.

The government reaffirmed its confidence in Nigerian and American judicial systems, emphasizing that Gambaryan will have the chance to present any evidence in court. Until then, it advised the public to treat his claims with skepticism.