The Federal Government has rejected claims by cryptocurrency exchange giant, Binance, that officials demanded a $150 million bribe to settle criminal charges against the company.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations as “baseless, an attempt by Binance to evade accountability for alleged criminal activities.”
Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, had accused unidentified individuals of demanding the bribe on behalf of officials, but the government and the House of Representatives have denied the claims.
The government stated that the investigation against Binance centers on allegations of money laundering, terrorism financing, and illegal trading activities, and it will not succumb to blackmail or coercion.
The Minister emphasized that Binance’s allegations lack evidence and are a diversionary tactic to deflect attention from the serious charges it faces in Nigeria.
The government pledged to address the legal issues surrounding Binance’s operations in the country and will not be swayed by fictional claims and mudslinging media campaigns.
The House of Representatives also denied meeting with Binance executives or their agents and resolved to investigate the mysterious escape of the Head of the African Region of the cryptocurrency exchange company, Mr. Nadeem Anjarwalla, from the custody of the National Security Adviser.
The committees on Financial Crimes, National Security and Intelligence, and Interior were mandated to investigate and report to the House in two weeks.