The Federal Government has described as a diversionary, allegation by Binance that unidentified Nigerian government officials demanded $150 million in cryptocurrency payments to resolve the ongoing criminal investigation against the company.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in a statement by his special assistant on media, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Wednesday, May 8, said the allegation by Binance Chief Executive Officer, Richard Teng, was made to launder the organisation’s impaired image.
“This claim by Binance CEO lacks any iota of substance. It is nothing but a diversionary tactic and an attempted act of blackmail by a company desperate to obfuscate the grievous criminal charges it is facing in Nigeria,” the minister stated.
He noted that the phantom bribe claim is part of an orchestrated international campaign by the company that is facing criminal prosecution in many countries, including the United States, to undermine the Nigerian government.
Idris recalled that the founder and former CEO of Binance, Changpeng Zhao, was, last week, sentenced to prison in the United States, after pleading guilty to charges very similar to what Binance is being investigated for in Nigeria.
“In addition, Zhao agreed to pay a fine of $50 million, while Binance is liable for $4.3 billion in fines and forfeitures to the US government,” he added.
Idris reminded Binance that, “it will not clear its name in Nigeria by resorting to fictional claims and mudslinging media campaigns.
“The only way to resolve its issues will be by submitting itself to unobstructed investigation and judicial due process.
“The government of Nigeria will continue to act within its laws and international norms and will not succumb to any form of blackmail from any entity, local or foreign,” Idris said.
