In a surprising turn of events, Binance, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, accused Nigerian government officials of soliciting a $150 million bribe. The allegation stems from an ongoing legal battle between the company and the Nigerian government.
According to Binance executive Richard Teng, the Tinubu administration demanded a hefty sum to dismiss recent fraud charges against the company. This alleged request came shortly after a meeting with Nigerian lawmakers, though their involvement in the bribe solicitation remains unclear.
Binance vehemently denies the charges against them and has vowed to resist any extortion attempts. “A significant payment in cryptocurrency to be paid in secret within 48 hours to make these issues go away,” wrote Teng in a blog post published Tuesday.
The Nigerian government has remained silent on the matter. A spokesperson for the national security agency declined to comment, and a spokesperson for parliament, currently investigating Binance, offered no response.
The accusations come amid a wider legal dispute. In February, Nigerian authorities arrested Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance employee, on charges of economic sabotage, including driving down the value of the Nigerian Naira. Binance denies all charges, and another detained employee has since escaped custody.
Gambaryan’s wife and children are pressuring US authorities to intervene, maintaining his innocence. The situation has escalated into a heated legal battle with international implications.
