Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly refuted allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive recently tried in the country for financial crimes. In a statement issued on Friday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged the public to disregard Gambaryan’s claims, describing them as “outrageous” and “unsubstantiated.”

According to the government, Gambaryan’s initial visit to Nigeria was conducted independently, without official involvement. However, after allegations surfaced regarding bribery demands during that trip, authorities launched an investigation, despite the absence of a formal complaint.

His subsequent visit was reportedly tied to a broader probe into the manipulation of the Nigerian currency through peer-to-peer platforms like Binance. The government claims that Gambaryan and his team employed tactics that hindered the investigation.

Following diplomatic intervention, Gambaryan was released in October 2024 on humanitarian grounds. The government rejected Binance’s offer of a $5 million down payment for his freedom, opting instead for what it described as a more favorable settlement with U.S. authorities.

Dismissing Gambaryan’s recent statements as an attempt to “discredit and intimidate” those involved in his prosecution, Idris reaffirmed Nigeria’s confidence in both its judicial system and that of the United States to fairly assess any legal claims.

The government’s response comes amid growing tensions surrounding Nigeria’s crackdown on financial crimes linked to cryptocurrency platforms. Authorities maintain that their actions are aimed at protecting the country’s financial stability, while Binance executives have continued to challenge the legality of Nigeria’s actions against them.

The Nigerian government has urged the public to exercise caution and not be swayed by Gambaryan’s claims, asserting that due process will determine the credibility of his allegations.