BREAKING: Binance Executive Exposes Alleged Corruption and Diplomatic Crisis in Nigerian Detention Ordeal
posted 14th February 2025
Binance Executive Exposes Alleged Corruption and Diplomatic Crisis in Nigerian Detention Ordeal
In a startling account, Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive detained in Nigeria, has levelled explosive allegations of corruption, institutional incompetence, and diplomatic mismanagement against Nigerian authorities. His claims, shared publicly for the first time, paint a picture of a high-stakes extortion attempt, illegal detention, and a subsequent international fallout that strained Nigeria’s relations with global powers.
The "Mickey Mouse Operation": Fake Meetings and Crypto Bribes
Gambaryan alleges that a meeting with Nigeria’s House of Representatives on 5 January 2024—preceded by a directive from the Department of State Services (DSS) to comply with lawmakers’ demands—descended into farce. Present were MPs Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, and a third individual under Ginger Obinna Onwusibe’s leadership. Cameras set up to simulate an official proceeding were unplugged, Gambaryan claims, before the lawmakers allegedly solicited a $150 million cryptocurrency bribe into personal wallets. He derided the scheme as a “Mickey Mouse operation at its best.”
The meeting, ostensibly arranged by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu through intermediaries Sa’ad Abubakar and Hamma Adama Belloji, was framed as a discussion with financial regulators, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Instead, Gambaryan asserts it became a platform for extortion.
Misleading Narratives and "BS" Investigations
Central to the Nigerian government’s public justification for targeting Binance was a claim that $26 billion had “mysteriously escaped” the country via the platform. Gambaryan dismisses this as “complete BS,” clarifying the figure reflected cumulative crypto trade volumes—akin to repeated $100 trades—rather than capital flight. “This money didn’t leave Nigeria,” he insists, accusing authorities of scapegoating Binance to distract from President Bola Tinubu’s contentious monetary reforms, which depegged the naira from the dollar, triggering devaluation.
Illegal Detention and Fabricated Evidence
Gambaryan and colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla were detained in February 2024. Authorities falsely claimed Nadeem fled during mosque prayers; Gambaryan states he returned to custody before escaping later. Belloji, he alleges, admitted to fabricating evidence to secure a 14-day detention order. When it expired, their continued confinement became unlawful.
Efforts to extradite Nadeem via Interpol were labelled a “joke” by Gambaryan, a former U.S. federal agent familiar with extradition processes. He argues no court would approve extraditing someone escaping illegal detention, particularly amid claims that employees were held “hostage” to pressure Binance.
Privacy Violations and Retaliation
Nigerian officials allegedly demanded Binance user data to target opposition figures accused of manipulating the naira—a request Gambaryan says would breach international privacy laws. Meanwhile, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers uninvolved in Nadeem’s escape were detained, while Belloji faced no consequences for operational failures, including neglecting to check travel documents or coordinate with immigration.
Health Risks and Diplomatic Fallout
At his most vulnerable, Gambaryan claims authorities pressured Abuja’s Nizamiya Hospital to deny him treatment during a severe illness and withhold medical records—a move later corroborated by Turkey’s Ministry of Health.
The saga’s diplomatic repercussions proved severe. Ribadu, allegedly eyeing “billions in payouts” for political ambitions, reportedly angered the White House after overstepping during talks with U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The U.S. restricted visas for Nigeria’s UN General Assembly delegation, and President Joe Biden reportedly refused to meet Tinubu until Gambaryan’s release. Ribadu’s hiring of a U.S. law firm, including lawyer Idayat Hassan, failed to negotiate a resolution, further exposing the affair’s bungling.
A Nation Let Down by "Muppets"
Gambaryan, now free, reflects ruefully on Nigeria’s “amazing people” let down by leaders he dubs “muppets.”
