From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crime has said it did not, at any time, solicit bribes from Binance, a cryptocurrency firm, as alleged by the latter.
Chairman of the Committee, Ginger Onwusibe, at a press briefing, in Abuja, noted that the Chief Executive Officer of Binance, Richard Teng, had in a post on the company’s website alleged that some “unknown persons” approached its officials for a bribe after private meeting with four representatives of the committee.
The lawmaker, who described the allegations as blackmail, said the committee would not be deterred from the discharge of its duties.
He recalled that in December 2023, the committee received petitions from several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) alleging various infractions against Binance..
“Following formal communications between the Committee and Binance, 10th January 2024 was agreed upon by the parties as a convenient date for a Public Hearing on the matter.
“Subsequently and before the agreed date, Binance through their Counsel reached out to the Committee to request for a pre-hearing meeting to give them deeper insight into the allegations against them which will assist them in preparing for the Public Hearing. The Committee approved the request of the Binance team and scheduled the pre-hearing meeting for the 8th day of January 2024 at the National Assembly Complex.
On the 8th day of January 2024, the Committee was represented by three of its members and its Clerk led by Peter Akpanke (Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency), met with a six-member team representing Binance. Detailed facts on the allegations against Binance as contained in the aforesaid Petitions, was made available to the Binance team to assist them in preparing for the Public Hearing scheduled for the 10th day of January 2024.
“The meeting was open, transparent and ended on a cordial note. No solicitation or demands of any type were made by representatives of the Committee to Binance at the meeting.”