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BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS: Provide evidence in seven days or face legal action — Lawmaker tells Binance executive

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2025

422 Views

Philip Agbese, a member of the house of representatives, has denied a bribery allegation against him by an executive of Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan.In a post published on X on Friday, Gambaryan recounted his experiences in the hands of some Nigerian lawmakers.

Gambaryan claimed three lawmakers, including Peter Akpanke, and Agbese demanded a $150 million bribe in cryptocurrency payment into their personal wallets.

The Binance executive, however, failed to provide any evidence to support his claims.

In a statement issued on Friday, Agbese said he was not a member of the committee and never demanded a bribe from Binance.

“I am outraged by the false allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of the controversial crypto firm Binance, claiming that I was among those who demanded a $150 million bribe from him,” the statement reads.

These allegations are false. I was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose.

“The leadership of the committee took the matter to court, and Binance has already apologized.

We exchanged pleasantries and, in character with my person as an avid pursuer of knowledge, discussed Binance’s activities that did not include any demand from anyone.

“It was during this visit to the office of Hon. Peter Ankpanke, with Hon. Peter Anekwe present, that he told me they were interfacing with Binance Team from abroad over a referral to their Committee.

What transpired between the two of them and the Binance executive after I left the office is left to them.

I never saw those visitors again after that chance meeting and did not afterwards attend any meeting with Binance executives, the EFCC, or the DSS.

“I am aware that when this issue was first raised, the Chairman of the Committee went to court and Binance apologised. So, all inquiries should be directed to the Committee, not to Hon. Philip Agbese.”

Agbese noted that he has never been involved in any cryptocurrency trading and does not have a crypto wallet so he could not have asked for funds to be credited to a “non-existent wallet”.

Agbese urged Gambaryan to either publish any evidence linking him to the bribery accusation or apologize within seven days, or face legal action.

Read the full statement below:

“I am outraged by the false allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of the controversial crypto firm Binance, claiming that I was among those who demanded a $150 million bribe from him.

These allegations are false. I was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose.

The leadership of the Committee took the matter to court, and Binance has already apologized.

“Let it be on record that I am not a member of the Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes. I visited my colleague, Hon. Peter Ankpanke, in his office, where he was meeting with some visitors about an activity of his Committee, with Hon. Peter Anakwe, a member of the Committee present. We exchanged pleasantries and, in character with my person as an avid pursuer of knowledge, discussed Binance’s activities that did not include any demand from anyone.

What transpired between the two of them and the Binance executive after I left the office is left to them. I never saw those visitors again after that chance meeting and did not afterwards attend any meeting with Binance executives, the EFCC, or the DSS.

“I am aware that when this issue was first raised, the Chairman of the Committee went to court and Binance apologised.

So, all inquiries should be directed to the Committee, not to Hon. Philip Agbese.

“I have never used any cryptocurrency as I do not have a crypto wallet anywhere in the world, so I could not have asked for funds to be credited to a non-existent wallet.

Gambaryan and his associate, who escaped from prison, should return to the EFCC and defend themselves. Instead of trying to implicate me, they should focus on addressing the allegations against them.

As a consequence of the foregoing, I demand that Tigran Gambaryan publishes any evidence that links Hon. Philip Agbese to the issue. The man has spewed many other lies in his report about the government demanding information on opposition elements and other outrageous claims.

I further demand that, failing to provide evidence as stated, Tigran Gambaryan must cause a retraction of his malicious claims and publication and apologise to me within the next 7 days or face legal action from my lawyers.

This is not the first allegation against me by a foreign entity.

The first was that I work for the past government and the Armed Forces to promote Nigeria’s agenda, which shows the extent of desperation by entities that are interested in undermining public office holders they perceive as nationalistic.

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FG Plans to Extend Lagos Rail Line to Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminals

Keyamo noted that Lagos accounts for 67 per mcent of passenger traffic through Nigeria’s airports.

Published

2 hours ago

June 10, 2026

OCHEFA

6 Views

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced at the ongoing Invest in Lagos 3.0 summit, that the federal government has concluded arrangements to extend the existing Lagos rail network to the domestic and international terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA).

The move is aimed at improving connectivity and strengthening Lagos’ position as an aviation hub in Africa.

He said discussions between his ministry and the state government are ongoing.

The extension will link the rail line that currently terminates at Ikeja Bus Stop to the airport.

According to Keyamo, the line will pass through the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), continue to the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2) operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), and end at the international terminal.

“That rail line is about to start. It is the extension of the rail line. So, Lagos is just ready for the next big step in terms of its aviation activities,” the minister said.

The project is expected to ease access to Nigeria’s busiest airport. It also supports the government’s ambition to position Lagos as a major aviation and logistics hub on the continent.

The proposed link will complement Lagos’ expanding rail network.

Last month, the Lagos State Government said the Blue Line carried about 3.5 million passengers in 2025, with daily ridership rising to 15,000 commuters. Work continues on its extension to Okokomaiko and expansion of services on the Red Line.

Keyamo noted that Lagos accounts for 67 percent of passenger traffic through Nigeria’s airports.

He argued that the state’s location gives it a natural advantage to compete with established aviation hubs.

“Just six hours across the Atlantic, you will get to South America from the Lagos airport. Six hours down, you will get to Southern Africa. Six hours to the Middle East, you will get to Dubai or Qatar. Six hours up, you will get to Europe, either France or London.

That is the equidistant advantage that Lagos provides as a hub for the whole of Africa. We will soon catch up with hubs like Addis Ababa and Lome,” he said.

The minister also highlighted ongoing investments in airport infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He said about $500 million has been committed to reconstructing and modernising the international terminal at Lagos airport.

The investment will transform the ageing facility into a modern airport capable of handling growing passenger and cargo traffic.

Keyamo added that the federal government has expanded Nigeria’s international airport network. Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo and Maiduguri International Airport have been designated as international airports, bringing the total to seven.

He said the resolution of the long-running dispute between BASL and the federal government shows the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in aviation.

He urged local and foreign investors to explore opportunities in the sector, including the proposed airport project in the Lekki-Epe corridor promoted by the Lagos State Government.If implemented, the airport rail extension will provide direct rail access to the country’s busiest aviation gateway.

It will complement ongoing investments in Lagos’ mass transit system and support broader efforts to improve mobility in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Business

Exchange Rates Today, Wednesday 10 June, 2026

Black Market Rates
US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,390 Sell ₦1,400
Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,855 Sell: ₦1, 875
EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 Sell ₦1, 100

Published

2 hours ago

June 10, 2026

OCHEFA

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Official CBN Exchange Rates

US Dollar (USD) ₦1,360.55

Great British Pound (GBP) ₦1,823. 00

EURO (EUR) ₦1,873.61

SWISS FRANC (CHF) ₦1,709. 02

JAPANESE YEN (JPN) ₦8.49

CHINESE YUAN (CNY) ₦200.92

West African CFA (XOF) ₦2.40

West African Unit Account (WAUA) ₦1,856. 66

SAUDI RIYAL (SAR) ₦362. 38

SOUTH AFRICAN RAND (ZAR) ₦82.71

Black Market Rates

US Dollar (USD) Buy ₦1,390 Sell ₦1,400

Great British Pound (GBP) Buy ₦1,855 Sell: ₦1, 875

EURO (EUR) Buy ₦1,000 Sell ₦1, 100

South African Rand (ZAR) Buy ₦75 Sell ₦90

UAE Dirham Buy ₦350 Sell ₦370

Chinese Yuan Buy ₦180 Sell ₦200

Ghana Cedi (GHS) Buy ₦100 Sell ₦115

West African CFA Buy ₦2,450 Sell ₦2,550

Central African CFA Buy ₦2,320 Sell 2400

Australian Dollar Buy ₦800 Sell ₦900

Credit: CBN I Aboki Forex

Business

Invest in Lagos 3.0 Summit Attracts more than 600 delegates

Ohibaba.com reports that the summit, themed “Lagos: The Business Gateway to Africa,” featured presentations from representatives of the Presidency and the governors of Lagos, Imo, Abia, Plateau, Taraba and Nasarawa states.

Published

6 hours ago

June 10, 2026

OCHEFA

13 Views

• Representatives of government and private sector delegates at the summit

Invest in Lagos 3.0 Summit attracted more than 600 delegates—including global institutions, sovereign wealth funds, development finance institutions and trade networks.

The host governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, called for increased private sector investment in rail transport, energy, agriculture, agro-processing and water infrastructure.

He said that addressing transportation challenges would unlock Lagos’ economic potential, reduce travel time, boost productivity and improve returns on investment.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Taiwo Oyedele, assured investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment through ongoing fiscal reforms. He said the new tax law has eliminated multiple taxation, improved compliance and provided relief for small and medium enterprises.

Oyedele added that stamp duty collection has been transferred to state governments and commended states that have adopted harmonised tax systems.