Reps Deputy Spokesperson, Agbese, denies Binance bribery allegations, threatens legal action

Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has strongly refuted allegations of bribery made against him by Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, demanding that Gambaryan provide evidence or retract his claims within seven days or face legal action.

Gambaryan had accused Agbese of being among those who allegedly demanded a $150 million bribe from Binance. In response, Agbese, in a statement issued in Abuja, dismissed the allegations as false and an attempt to tarnish his reputation.

> “These allegations are false,” Agbese asserted. “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.”

He further clarified that he is not a member of the House Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes and that his only interaction with Binance representatives happened when he visited his colleague, Hon. Peter Ankpanke, during a meeting involving the Committee.

“It was during this visit to Hon. Peter Ankpanke’s office, with Hon. Peter Anekwe present, that I learned they were interfacing with the Binance team over a referral to their Committee,” he explained. “I never saw those visitors again after that chance meeting and did not attend any further meetings with Binance executives, the EFCC, or the DSS.”

Agbese emphasized that any further inquiries regarding the matter should be directed to the Committee rather than him. He also distanced himself from cryptocurrency transactions.

“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,” he stressed.

He further challenged Gambaryan to present concrete evidence linking him to the alleged bribery.

> “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,” Agbese said.

The lawmaker issued a final warning, stating that if Gambaryan fails to provide evidence, he will pursue legal action.

“I demand that, failing to provide evidence, Tigran Gambaryan must retract his malicious claims and apologize to me within the next seven days or face legal action from my lawyers.”

Agbese also described the allegations as part of a broader campaign by foreign entities to discredit Nigerian public office holders.

“This is not the first time attempts have been made to smear my reputation. I will not allow baseless accusations to go unchallenged,” he concluded.