The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, responded to allegations made by Binance CEO Richard Teng, stating that they were fabricated to undermine Nigeria.
The federal government of Nigeria addressed claims by Teng that certain Nigerian officials sought digital currency payments to resolve their ongoing fraud case with the government. These assertions arose following the detention of two senior executives of the cryptocurrency company on February 28.
The detention is linked to an investigation into suspected unlawful activities and manipulation of foreign exchange rates.
The individuals currently in custody are Nadeem Anjarwalla, a 37-year-old British Kenyan overseeing Binance’s operations in Africa, and Tigran Gambaryan, a 39-year-old US national responsible for financial crime compliance at Binance.
In response to Teng’s allegations, Minister Mohammed Idris dismissed them as baseless.
In a statement conveyed to Pulse by his special assistant, Rabiu Ibrahim, the minister remarked, “The assertion by Binance CEO lacks credibility. It appears to be a diversionary tactic and an attempt to intimidate by a company eager to deflect from the serious criminal charges it faces in Nigeria.
“The reality of the situation is that Binance is under investigation in Nigeria for its platform’s alleged involvement in money laundering, terrorism financing, and illegal forex trading.
“While this lawful probe was ongoing, an executive from Binance, under court-approved protective custody, fled Nigeria, becoming a fugitive. Interpol is now pursuing an international arrest warrant for this individual in collaboration with Nigerian security agencies.”
Minister Idris emphasized that the bribery allegation by the Binance CEO was part of an orchestrated global campaign by the company, facing legal action in several countries, including the United States, to undermine the Nigerian government.
