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Binance: Gambaryan’s allegations false, malicious, defamatory – Rep Onwusibe

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Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, Rep. Ginger Onwusibe, has denied the allegations of bribery made against him by the Head of Financial Crime Compliance of Binance, Tigran Gambaryan.

Onwusibe, in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, described Gambaryan’s claims as false, malicious and defamatory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gambaryan, who spent eight in a Nigerian detention facility over alleged corruption, had named three members of the house who allegedly demanded a $150 million bribe from him.

Gambaryan had, in his verified X account on Friday, named Philip Agbese, Obinna Onwusibe and Peter Akpanke as the lawmakers who demanded the bribe from him.

NAN reports that one of the lawmakers, Agbese, had since denied Gambaryan’s allegations, calling on him to support his claims with evidence or face the consequences of his actions.

Onwusibe, in the statement on Saturday, said that his committee began investigating Binance after receiving a petition from a civil society organisation, Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative.

He said that the petition alleged that Binance had engaged in financial and economic crimes which posed a threat to the Nigerian economy.

“In response, the committee invited Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, to appear before a public hearing scheduled for Jan. 10, 2024.

“However, before that date, Binance requested a pre-hearing meeting to better understand the allegations against them,” he said.

Onwusibe stated that the committee agreed to the request and rescheduled the meeting for Jan. 8, 2024 at the National Assembly complex.

He said that because he would not be able to attend the meeting due to other official engagements, he delegated three members of the committee and a clerk to meet with the Binance six-member team, including a legal counsel.

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The lawmaker said that the meeting was professional, transparent and ended on a cordial note, with no demands for any bribe.

“Despite agreeing to attend the public hearing, Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, failed to appear on multiple occasions.

“Instead, the company sent legal representatives, a move the committee rejected. The hearing was postponed several times to accommodate Binance’s requests; neither Teng nor any other senior Binance executive attended,” he said.

Onwusibe said that Binance’s truancy raised serious concerns about its willingness to cooperate with Nigerian authorities.

“I was surprised to discover, through a May 7, 2024, blog post by Richard Teng, that Binance executives were also under investigation by Nigeria’s security agencies, including Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA),” he said.

The lawmaker said that “Teng’s post, entitled: “Tigran Gambaryan is Innocent and Must Be Released”, contained defamatory claims against him.

“I instructed my lawyer, Nnamdi U. Nwokocha Ahaiwe, to demand an apology and damages. Binance, however, refused to retract the statements or offer any compensation,” he said.

Onwusibe said that he filed a suit against Binance and Tengat at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Sept. 18, 2024, seeking an apology, a retraction and $3 billion in damages.

According to him, the case, which first came up for hearing on Jan. 22, is set to continue on Feb. 19.

The lawmaker, however, dismissed the latest allegations by Gambaryan, saying that they were desperate attempts by Binance to deflect attention from its own legal troubles.

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He maintained that neither he nor his committee coordinated with Nigerian security agencies in their investigation of Binance.

The lawmaker also denied allegations that the DSS, ONSA, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) were involved in the legislative probe.

He described Binance as a company with a troubling history of legal infractions in multiple countries.

The lawmaker particularly cited the case of Binance’s founder and former CEO, Changpeng Zhao, who, he said, was sentenced to four months in prison in the United States for financial crimes, including money laundering.

He also pointed to the company’s record fines in U.S.A., Canada, India and Uzbekistan for violating anti-money laundering and financial regulations.

Onwusibe lamented that many Nigerians were quick to believe Binance’s version of events without critically examining the facts.

He said the accusations had not only damaged his reputation but had also been used to mock his political party, Labour Party, and even his ethnic group.

Onwusibe, however, said that in spite of the attacks, he remained determined to clear his name.

While insisting on pursuing his lawsuit to its logical conclusion, the lawmaker said that he would also continue to defend the integrity of the Nigerian legislature.

He accused Binance and its executives of attempting to use media blackmail to escape accountability.

According to him, the company’s actions, including the alleged escape of one of its executives from Nigerian custody, have proved that it is acting in bad faith.

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Onwusibe reiterated his interest in ensuring that Binance was held accountable for any financial misconduct.

He maintained that the committee’s investigation was conducted fairly and in line with its legislative duties.

The legislator advised Binance to go and face its case in court and stop blackmailing people. (NAN)

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Fubara Erroneously Implicated in Pre-State of Emergency Proclamation Security Issues – Coalition’s Report

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The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Group says Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State was erroneously implicated in security issues that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

The group, in a comprehensive report on the crisis in Rivers, also cleared Fubara of allegations linking him to militant groups responsible for pipeline vandalism and security breaches in the state.

The report, which was made available to journalists in a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, thoroughly debunked claims that Fubara has ties to militant factions, describing the allegations as “politically motivated fabrications” designed to destabilise his administration.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Group’s investigation revealed no evidence of financial transactions or operational links between the state government and known militant factions.

According to the report, the allegations against Governor Fubara are part of a broader pattern of democratic subversion in Nigeria’s volatile political landscape.

The report points to the role of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in fueling tensions in Rivers State through his inflammatory remarks.

The Coalition, in the report, recommends the immediate cessation of political hostilities, the withdrawal of security forces unlawfully deployed in Rivers State, and the initiation of independent investigations into allegations of militancy.

The report also notes that communities, where the alleged incidents were reported, have come forward to refute the claims, assuring the public that oil and gas facilities in their areas remain secure and operational.

The Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Group’s report concludes that the allegations against Governor Fubara appear to be politically motivated fabrications.

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The report added: “It is abundantly clear to us, and to the world that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no verifiable links to militant groups operating within Rivers State, or the Niger Delta at large.

“We are convinced that the allegations against him appear to be politically motivated, fueled by power struggles and deep-seated rivalries rather than grounded in any factual basis.  This report has methodically dismantled the unfounded allegations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, exposing them as politically motivated fabrications.

“The real instigators of instability in Rivers State are those who prioritize personal vendettas over public welfare. It is, therefore, imperative for all stakeholders, both within Nigeria and in the international community, to recognize the dangerous implications of weaponizing baseless accusations for political expediency.

“The attempt to malign Governor Fubara’s character through such claims is not only an attack on his personal integrity but also an affront to the democratic values that Nigeria professes to uphold.

“Moreover, the reckless statements made by Minister Nyesom Wike, which have exacerbated tensions in the region, must be condemned unequivocally. Public officeholders bear an ethical and constitutional responsibility to foster national unity rather than stoke the flames of discord.

“The people of Rivers State deserve peace, stability, and development—not a manufactured crisis driven by political greed and ambition. As concerned citizens and defenders of democracy, we stand resolute in our support for truth and justice.

“Governor Fubara must not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. His exoneration from these baseless allegations and false narratives is not just a defense of his personality, but a defense of democracy itself.

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“Governor Fubara has consistently demonstrated his commitment to peace, security, and good governance. His call for the protection of vital oil installations and his transparent governance style stand in stark contrast to the baseless allegations that seek to tarnish his reputation.

“The security challenges in Rivers State are not of his making; rather, they are symptomatic of a broader historical struggle for equity and justice in the Niger Delta. The international community, civil society, and all lovers of democracy must stand strong behind Rivers State to save it from anarchy.”

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NRC ready for cargo train services – MD

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The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said the Western district is ready for cargo train movement between Lagos and Kano on the narrow gauge.

The Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said this on Tuesday, at Dugbe Ibadan Narrow Gauge Train Station, after inspecting Moniya Freight Park.

“The essence of this tour is to enable us to access our readiness to handle the cargo side of our business as business and logistics facilitator.

“We are happy with the extent of what we have seen and we can comfortably say we are ready to move any manner of cargo for any of our customers,” he said.

At Omi Adio, Opeifa after inspecting the facility put in place to establish another cargo park, directed the acquisition of more land around the proposed dry port area to provide for anticipated business for the dry port.

The inspection took Opeifa and his management team to the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station, Moniya and the Moniya Cargo Park, where he inspected the readiness of the port to facilitate cargo business.

During inspection at the Western District Headquarters at Dugbe, he charged workers to double their effort and improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the railway.

“I can approve an improvement in your allowances once we improve our IGR. So, let us be committed to doubling our efforts,” he said.

He said management was determined to recommence cargo commitment from Lagos to Kano, adding that he would be at Ibadan to flag off the Dugbe end of the movement once the service begins.

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He also commended railway women, urging them to continue to prove their mettle in keeping the wheel of the rail going.

Addressing the welfare of pensioners, Opeifa assured that the corporation would continue to work at improving their welfare.

“I do not need to be told, I can feel so many things and I can only assure you that the management will continue to work at improving your living conditions,” he said.

On vandals sabotaging the corporation efforts at improving its services, Opeifa emphasised that there were no scraps in the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

“All we have are rail materials. All our materials are in serviceable conditions. From here, we are moving cement from Ewekoro to Osogbo and to Ilorin.

“All these wagons you see, all these rail sleepers, all these irons are still working and all security operatives have been directed to arrest and prosecute anyone caught vandalising our property.

“No one is permitted to carry our materials. No letter of approval is sufficient to allow anyone to do so, security operatives should put a call across to us to enable us authenticate such activity,” he said.

At the Ladoke Akintola Train Station, Omi Adio, Dr Seye Oyeleye, the Director General of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, expressed readiness to work with the corporation to reactivate the narrow gauges within some states in the Southwest for mass transportation. (NAN)

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Court delivers judgment in Anyanwu’s suit April 28

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, fixed April 28 for judgment in a suit filed by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, seeking to stop his removal as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national secretary.

Justice Inyang Ekwo fixed the date after Anyanwu’s counsel, Ken Njemanze, SAN, and defence lawyers adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit.

Justice Ekwo also ordered Njemanze to make available to the court within seven days of the order the judgement of the Supreme Court delivered on Friday.

“I am going to give you a fairly long date for judgment but if the judgment is ready before that date, parties will receive hearing notice,” the judge said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Supreme Court had March 21, set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, delivered on Dec. 20, 2024, which affirmed the removal of Anyanwu as the national secretary of PDP.

In a unanimous judgment by a five-member panel, the apex court ruled that matters concerning the leadership or membership of a political party are internal affairs and should not be subject to judicial intervention.

The court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter initially brought by Aniagwu Emmanuel, a member of the party.

However, the judgment, expected to bring an end to the crisis, had left the PDP leadership and members in disarray, as the two main parties in the suit; Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye, now claim to be valid national secretary after the apex court decision.

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Meanwhile, Anyanwu, in the instant suit, had originally sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Umar Damagun, the acting National Chairman of PDP, as 1st and 2nd defendants.

In the ex-parte motion: marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2025 dated and filed on Feb. 13 by Njemanze, Anyanwu sought two prayers.

He sought an order of interim injunction, restraining INEC from accepting, acting on or giving effect to any correspondence from the PDP not signed by him pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

He also sought an order of interim injunction restraining Damagun from dispatching to INEC any correspondence purportedly emanating from PDP signed by the acting chair and not counter signed by him.

However, the court joined had, on Feb. 28, given an order joining the PDP and Udeh-Okoye in the suit as 3rd and 4th defendants.

The judge equally joined Dr Ali Odela and Mr Setonji Koshoedo as 5th and 6th defendants respectively.

While Odela is said to be the national vice chairman, PDP’s South East, Koshoedo is said to be the deputy national secretary of the party.

Earlier while adopting their processes, Akintayo Balogun, who appeared for Damagun and Odela, including T.J. Aondo, SAN, who appeared for PDP, challenged the jurisdiction of the court.

They urged the court to dismiss Anyanwu’s suit.

Also, Eric Ekeret, who represented the Udeh-Okoye and J.A. Musa who appeared for Koshoedo, prayed the court to grant their relief in the interest of justice.

Ahmed Mohammed, lawyer to the INEC, equally moved their processes in the suit.

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The lawyer, who said they filed a counter affidavit and a written address, adopted their applications.

On his alert, Njemanze, while adopting his processes, prayed the court to grant the application and resolved the issues raised in favour of his client (Anyanwu).(NAN)

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