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Binance’s bribery allegations false, malicious, defamatory -Rep Onwusibe

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Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe,Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes
By Our Reporter
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes and lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Ginger Obinna Onwusibe has denied allegation that bribes were demanded from the cryptocurrency firm, Binance and its officers by the committee, describing it as malicious and defamatory.
Onwusibe also denied any coordination with congregational investigation and the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA.
Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, who was arrested and detained alongside one of his staff members in Nigeria for several months over alleged corruption, had named three members of the House of Representatives for allegedly demanded a bribe of $150million from him to avoid security agencies from swooping on him.
Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Gambaryan named Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe and Peter Akpanke, all members of the House, as the men who allegedly demanded the huge sum from him.
Reacting to the allegation in a statement titled: “Limited reaction to false, malicious and defamatory publications against me by Tigran Gambaryan of Binance” and made available to newsmen in Abuja, insisted that no bribes were demanded from the firm by the committee on behalf of its members or any other people.
“I want to categorically deny any coordination between our Congressional investigation and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly, the NSA, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu. No one in the ONSA, including Mr. Ribadu directed us to demand bribes from Binance and its officers on their behalf or ours and no such bribes were ever demanded.
“Similarly, no coordination existed between me, my Committee and the ‘Head’ of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as alleged by Mr. Tigran Gambaryan in his publication today on X as well as the ones he planted in NPR and WIRED publications and no bribes were demanded by my Committee on their behalf.
“As already stated above, our Committee never coordinated with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) over whom we have oversight powers,” he stated.
Besides the Gambaryan’s post on X, Onwusibe added that his attention was also drawn to a publication in the NPR media website, titled “THE  ‘CRYPTO WIZARD’ VS. NIGERIA” published on February 11, 2025 written by Dina Temple-Raston, Nick Fountain, Jess Jiang, Emma Peaslee and Sean Powers as well as another publication in the WIRED media website titled “THE UNTOLD STORY OF A CRYPTO CRIME FIGHTER’S DESCENT INTO NIGERIA PRISON” published on February 10, 2025 written by Andy Greenberg “all of which contained very damaging, false, malicious and defamatory accusations against me.”
The lawmaker, said he was only giving a limited response “because the issues raised in the said publications are subjudice being subject of a court action initiated by me against Binance and their Managing  Director/CEO, Mr. Richard Teng which is pending before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory,  Abuja.”
He explained that his Committee had in December 2023 received a petition from a civil society organisation-cum-non governmental organisation, SO/NGO, the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative alleging multiple financial and economic crimes and irregularities  perpetrated by Binance against the Nigerian economy and State.
“Upon receipt of the said Petition, we wrote to Mr. Richard Teng who is the Managing Director/CEO of Binance, inviting him to appear before the Investigative/Public Hearing set up  by the Committee to investigate the allegations bordering on breach and non-compliance by Binance with extant Laws and Regulations related to their operations in Nigeria.
“Binance and Mr. Teng through their representatives contacted the Committee, in order to agree on a convenient date for them to appear and testify at the ìnvestigative/public hearing and the 10 day of  January 2024 was agreed as a convenient date for a public hearing on the matter
“Before the agreed date of the 10 day of January 2024 when the public hearing was scheduled to  hold, Binance reached out to the Committee to request for a pre-hearing meeting which will afford  them an opportunity to gain deeper insight into details of the allegations against them in order to  assist them in preparing for the investigative/public hearing. The Committee conceded the request by Binance and scheduled the pre-hearing meeting for the 8th day of January 2024 at the National  Assembly complex,” the statement reads in parts.
Onwusibe emphasized that it was Binance who requested for the meeting and not him or the committee, adding that there would have been no meeting between them on January 8, 2024, a day which he was «unavoidably absent from Abuja” due to assignment with another Committee of the House of of which he is a member.
The lawmaker further informed that Richard Teng had on May 7, 2024 published in a Blog Post on the Website,  Binance.Com, an article authored by him titled “TIGRAN GAMBARYAN IS INNOCENT AND  MUST BE RELEASED” which according to him contained false, malicious and defamatory allegations against me”, adding that “on the same date, Teng uploaded the article to his X (formerly Twitter) handle.”
He argued that the specific allegation made by Mr. Richard Teng and Binance initially was that demands for bribes were made by “unknown persons” after they had left the pre-hearing meeting, saying “this is contrary to the allegation now made by Mr. Gambaryan today that demands  for bribes were made during the meeting allegedly held in a room/office equipped with  “fake” cameras and microphones.’
Onwusibe added that until the publications by Teng on May 7, 2024 he was not aware that the executive arm of Federal Government and its agencies were conducting their own separate investigations into the activities of Binance in  Nigeria, insisting that neither himself nor the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes coordinated with any of the agencies.
The lawmaker stated that he would continue to seek appropriate redress, remedies and take all lawful measures, including Court action to clear his “good” name.
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Law & Crime

Glo Mobile, NCC, Megatech Sued over breach of contract, refusal to pay USD 9, 578, 947 contractual fee

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By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Telecommunication giant, Glo Mobile Limited, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and an indigenous company, Megatech Engineering Limited have been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged breach of contractual agreement.

They were sued by an indigenous Company, Mosakab Nigeria Limited and its promoter, Mashood Mustapha, who are claiming over N20billinon as damages for the unlawful contractual agreement breach.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1534/2024, the two plaintiffs are praying the court for an order voiding or setting aside the sale of the Spectrum Licence in the 2.6 GHZ Band by Megatech to Glomobile on the ground that the purported sale was accentuated by fraud and illegality.

The suit has Megatech Engineering Limited, Glo Mobile and NCC as 1st to 3rd defendants.

In the suit filed by George Ibrahim SAN of Ogwu James Onoja SAN law firm in Abuja, the two plaintiffs asked the court to order Megatech to honour its monetary obligation of ten million US dollars due to them in their Consultancy Agreement executed of June 29, 2017.

Also, they are praying for an order compelling the NCC to revoke the Spectrum License in the 2.6 GHB Band issued to Megatech in March 2020 at their facilitation as Consultants.

Besides, the aggrieved plaintiffs asked that Megatech be ordered to pay them N5bn for breach of contract and another N10bn as general damage for the injury inflicted on them through the breach of the contract.

Similarly, they want the court to order Megatech to allot between 5 to 10 percent of its outstanding shares to the second plaintiff in line with the executed Consultancy agreement of June 29, 2017.

In their statement of claims, the plaintiffs averred that Megatech Company in 2017 consulted and retained their service as consultants to facilitate and secure the procurement of 2.5/2.6 GHZ Band for National License operation.

In furtherance to the engagement, the 1st plaintiff, Mosakab Nigeria Limited was said to have executed a formal agreement in June of the same year prompting its promoter to deploy both human and material resources for the realization of the agreement.

After series of meetings with government agencies, the NCC in March 26, 2020 was said to have offered a Spectrum License of 40 MHZ (TDD) on 2.6 GHZ Band to Megatech for nationwide deployment for a period of 5 years.

After series of correspondences on behalf of Megatech with NCC, plaintiffs claimed that statutory payments were made by the company.

The plaintiffs however claimed that along the lines, Megatech opted to share the Spectrum Band with Glomobile and that they as consultants achieved the feat with NCC and their resources of USD 250, 000

They averred that trouble began when Megatech reneged in the payment of USD 10M due to them but only paid USD 421,052 leaving a balance of USD 9, 578, 947 unpaid despite the formal agreement.

Megatech after taken the benefits of the Spectrum Band allocation was said to have entered into agreement with Glomobile to sell its interest without paying the plaintiffs, outstanding USD 9, 578, 947 as contained in the agreement.

They therefore prayed the court for declaration that they carried out their obligations as contained in the agreement and that they are entitled to be paid USD 9, 578, 947 as outstanding balance.

Plaintiffs also asked the court to compel the defendants to pay them N50M as cost of litigation.

Meanwhile, Justice Mohammed Garba Umar has fixed March 3, 2026 for hearing of the suit.

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Law & Crime

FG hands over 100 Released abducted students of St Mary’s Catholic School to Gov Bago of Niger State

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Released Abducted students of St.Mary Catholic Primary and Secondary School Papiri in Agwara local council of Niger state

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The Federal Government has Hand over the 100 abducted students of St.Mary Catholic Primary and Secondary School Papiri in Agwara local council,to governor Muhammad Umaru Bago of Niger State,at the government house, Minna Monday 8th December 2025.

The National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu represented by Wing Commander Abdullahi Idi Hong stated that since the abduction of the children on 21st November 2025,at the school hostel Papiri, federal government has been working assiduous to ensure their rescue and safe return.

Ribadu noted that to ensure the policies to protect the rights of every Nigerian child is safe,had reiterated the unwavering commitment of the security agencies to come up with measures to protect the country and the citizens.

Earlier,Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago who was emotional while receiving the 100 children, appreciated President Bola Tinubu as well as the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for their swift actions in rescuing and recovering of the children.

Bago promised that the rest students still in captivity will be recovered in no distance time and to be re-unite with their parents, appealed for sustainable prayers to ensure their safe return.

In Bago words”.Today is fundamental in redefining the history of Niger state, I am emotionally broken down due to the ages and size of this children, medical officials have been directed to examine their health status to ensure they are healthy”. He added.

The governor stressed that the state government is working in collaboration with the CAN, UNICEF and other relevant authorities to ensure safe return of all the remaining abducted students.

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Law & Crime

Xmas : IPOB assures Igbos of hitch-free Xmas celebration, begs them to return en masse

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IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

By Our Correspondent

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sunday, begged Ndigbo living within Nigeria and in Diaspora who plan to come home for the Christmas festivities to do so, assuring that its security outfit, Eastern Security Network, (ESN, operatives and IPOB volunteers will ensure security throughout the entire South East region within the period under review.

Making the urge through its image maker, Emma Powerful, the movement said that, “The South East Region is Nigeria’s most tranquil area. Despite the sponsored instability in the East over the last 4 years, the security conditions have notably enhanced.

“The government and their backed criminals have depleted their orchestrated insecurity employed to blackmail IPOB and ESN. Despite all the antics and deadly deeds of hyenas and jackals, the landowners remain present to defend and hold onto their territory. The Eastern region has consistently been secure and will always remain secure since Ndigbo are inherently peaceful.

“Thus, we urge Ndigbo and their friends wishing to visit Ala Igbo this Christmas to return home and experience the warmth of the Land of the Rising Sun. Our people need to disregard the funded and exaggerated media effort portraying insecurity in the Biafra region.

“We acknowledge that there are areas of insecurity in Biafra Land, as we are affected by the broader insecurity occurring in Nigeria. Nonetheless, IPOB and ESN, alongside the support of Ndigbo, have performed admirably in maintaining the security of Alaigbo relative to other areas.

“We aim to take this opportunity to clarify the false rumors circulating on social media regarding the alleged kidnapping of some passengers at Ngor Okpala along the Owerri – Aba expressway recently. The mentioned kidnapping event was false.

“The footage of the abduction incident was an old clip that reappeared on social media. Numerous security tasks have been carried out discreetly by the ESN Operatives without any social media attention. The public should be aware that ESN lacks any social media accounts.

“Do not anticipate observing their activities on social media apart from those that IPOB leadership has authorized for posting. The absence of continuous killings and abductions in that Eastern region serves as evidence that there are Lions guarding the Land. Those spreading the falsehood that ESN Operatives have been wiped out should question the Fulani terrorists about their avoidance of the Eastern region. The Igbo proverb states, “onye si na Osimmiri atala, ya tinye ukwu ya” (whoever claims a river is dry should place their feet in it).

“The Nigerian government, along with certain self-serving Igbo politicians, has attempted and been unsuccessful in breaking up ESN and IPOB. The Biafra Restoration project led by IPOB is a sacred initiative. Thus, darkness cannot eliminate light. The restoration of Biafra is a summons from Chukwu Okike Abiama (God Almighty), and it will materialize at the appropriate moment. In the end, we invite our people to come back home for Christmas in large numbers and to also bring some investments to be made in our region.

“Do not allow anyone or the government to use fear tactics to make you abandon Biafra Land. We greet you during this joyful season. May God bless each of you and provide safe travels on roads, oceans, and in the air. Iseeeee”, IPOB prayed.

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