DailySun
Tigran Gambaryan, an executive at Binance, is currently embroiled in a defamation case seeking $662,000 brought forth by Nigerian lawmaker Philip Agbese, who denies all allegations of bribery.
Nigerian lawmaker Philip Agbese has filed a defamation lawsuit demanding 1 billion Nigerian Naira (approximately $662,000) from Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan, following claims of bribery, as reported by the local news outlet Vanguard.
The lawsuit, presented in the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, claims that Gambaryan mistakenly linked Agbese to corrupt activities, according to the report. Agbese staunchly refutes these allegations and is requesting a court declaration that the statements in question are defamatory. He is also seeking a public apology, a restraining order against future statements, and 1 billion Nigerian Naira in damages. Additionally, Agbese is requesting an additional 5 million Nigerian Naira to cover legal costs.
The case reportedly revolves around comments made by Gambaryan, asserting that Agbese and two other lawmakers attempted to solicit a bribe of $150 million via cryptocurrency transactions.
Agbese’s legal counsel contends that Gambaryan’s remarks were “false, malicious, and intended to damage” Agbese’s reputation, per the report. The Nigerian lawmaker insists he has never maintained a cryptocurrency account or participated in digital transactions. Crypto.news has reached out to a communications agency representing Gambaryan’s family and will provide updates as soon as a response is received.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, was detained alongside British-Kenyan Nadeem Anjarwalla by Nigerian authorities in February 2023. They were arrested at an airport in Abuja after law enforcement requested Binance representatives to come to the capital. Following their detention, all naira and peer-to-peer services on Binance in Nigeria were suspended.
After eight months in custody, Gambaryan was released by a Nigerian court when the government dropped the money laundering charges against him.
