From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Philip Agbese, has said he was not part of any meeting with officials of crypto currency firm, Binance, where $150 million was allegedly demanded. Agbese, in a statement, yesterday, said he is not a member of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, which handled the Binance probe. Agbese, who stated that he has never used any crypto currency, and does not have a crypto wallet, wondered how he could have asked anyone to credit his “non-existent” wallet.
Consequently, the Deputy House spokesman demanded an apology and a retraction from Gambaryan, within the next seven days or face a legal action.
The lawmaker also challenged Gambaryan to publish any evidence that links him, with the issue, stating that “the man has spewed many other lies in his report about the government demanding information on opposition elements and other outrageous claims.
“Let it be on record that I am not a member of the Committee on Economic and Financial Crimes. I visited my colleague, Hon. Peter Ankpanke, in his office, where he was meeting with some visitors about an activity of his committee, with Hon. Peter Anakwe, a member of the committee present.
“We exchanged pleasantries and, in character with my person as an avid pursuer of knowledge, discussed Binance’s activities that did not include any demand from anyone.
“It was during this visit to the office of Hon. Peter Ankpanke, with Hon. Peter Anekwe present, that he told me they were interfacing with Binance Team from abroad over a referral to their Committee. What transpired between the two of them and the Binance executive after I left the office is left to them. I never saw those visitors again after that chance meeting and did not afterwards attend any meeting with Binance executives, the EFCC, or the DSS.”
Agbese added that “I am aware that when this issue was first raised, the Chairman of the Committee went to court and Binance apologised. So, all inquiries should be directed to the Committee, not to Hon. Philip Agbese.
“Gambaryan and his associate, who escaped from prison, should return to the EFCC and defend themselves. Instead of trying to implicate me, they should focus on addressing the allegations against them.”
Efforts to reach Akpanke, for his reaction, was not successful, as he did not respond to calls to his mobile line by 2.06pm and 2.07pm, and was yet to respond to an inquiry via WhatsApp message, as the time of filing this report. The House had on May 8, 2024, denied demanding any bribe from the Binance. This followed allegations by the firm that three members of Committee on Financial Crimes, at a meeting, with its officials, allegedly demanded bribe from them.