The House of Representatives, on Saturday, said Binance’s allegations that three lawmakers demanded bribes were against the concerned lawmakers, not the lower chamber as an independent arm of government.
Akin Rotimi, spokesman for the House of Representatives, stated the lower chamber’s position on the allegation in a statement on Saturday.
“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 statement reads.
The lower chamber also said it has been “assured” by its members fingered in the allegation that nothing of such happened.
“The Honourable Members named have assured the House Leadership that they never had any such dealings as reported,” the statement said.
On Friday, Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance official who was held in detention for eight months by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, said the State Security Service (SSS) was involved in Nigerian lawmakers demanding $150 million from Binance, adding that National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu “wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition.”
Mr Gambaryan, in a statement on his official X handle, named Philip Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency; Peter Akpanke, the lawmaker representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku Federal Constituency; and Ginger Obinna Onwusibe as the lawmakers who set up fake cameras to make the meeting appear official, only to demand bribes paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets from Binance.
However, Mr Agbese, one of the lawmakers accused of demanding bribes from Binance, dismissed Mr Gambaryan as a “drowning man,” denying involvement in the demand for bribes from Binance when contacted by media on Friday.
Mr Onwusibe, another lawmaker Mr Gambaryan accused, said, “I am already in court with them, so I don’t want to speak on the matter again.” However, Mr Akpanke could not be reached, as his contact could not be found on the National Assembly’s website.
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