- The Nigerian government has denied allegations made by Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, that its officials demanded a $150 million bribe to settle criminal charges against the crypto exchange.
- The government’s Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, dismissed the claims as baseless and part of a diversionary tactic by Binance.
- Despite the allegations, the Nigerian government has vowed to continue its investigations into Binance’s activities in the country.
The Nigerian government refutes allegations of a $150 million bribe demand made by Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, and vows to continue its investigations into the crypto exchange’s activities in the country.
Allegations of a “Diversionary Tactic”
Rabiu Ibrahim, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has dismissed the allegations made by Binance’s CEO as baseless. He stated that these claims are part of a coordinated effort by Binance to discredit the Nigerian government and divert attention away from the charges the company is currently facing in the country. He further accused Binance of attempting to blackmail the government and obfuscate the criminal charges it is facing in Nigeria, which include money laundering, terrorism financing, and foreign exchange manipulation through illegal trading.
Binance’s Claims and the Nigerian Government’s Response
In a blog post, Richard Teng claimed that unnamed Nigerian government officials had approached Binance, demanding a secret payment of $150 million in cryptocurrency to halt investigations into the company’s activities. He also called for the release of two Binance executives who have been detained by the Nigerian authorities. In response, Ibrahim stated that the government’s investigations will not be deterred by Binance’s claims, which he described as “blackmail”. He asserted that the only way for Binance to clear its name in Nigeria would be by submitting itself to unobstructed investigation and judicial due process.
Nigeria to Continue Criminal Case Against Binance
The Nigerian government has made it clear that it will continue its investigations into Binance’s activities in the country, despite the allegations made by the company’s CEO. Ibrahim stated that the government will act within its laws and international norms and will not succumb to any form of blackmail from any entity, local or foreign.
Conclusion
The Nigerian government’s denial of Binance’s allegations and its vow to continue its investigations into the company’s activities indicate a firm stance against any form of corruption or illegal activities in the country’s financial sector. This development could have significant implications for Binance and other cryptocurrency exchanges operating in Nigeria.
