The Head of Financial Crime Compliance at cryptocurrency firm, Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, who spent eight months in a Nigerian detention facility over alleged corruption, has identified three Nigerian lawmakers who allegedly demanded a bribe of $150m from him.

Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a 37-year-old British Kenyan who serves as the regional manager for Africa at Binance.

Both were charged with money laundering involving $35 million, as initiated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Anjarwalla managed to escape from custody on March 22, 2024.

However, Gambaryan was released following the intervention of the United States government.

While in detention, the Binance boss said some lawmakers in the House of Representatives demanded bribes from him.

Taking to his verified X handle, 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.

Gambaryan’s post on X read in part, “The DSS was involved in the House of Representatives matter. We met with them at their office on Friday, January 5, 2024, as a prerequisite to our meeting with the House of Representatives. They alluded to the fact that we had to comply with whatever the House members instructed us to do.

“At the House meeting, there were three members present. Two of them were Peter Akpanke and Philip Agbese, both working under the leadership of Ginger Obinna Onwusibe. There was a third House member, but I don’t recall his name.

“They set up fake cameras and media to make the meeting appear official, but the cameras weren’t even plugged in. As you may already know, this ended with them asking for a $150m bribe, paid in cryptocurrency into their personal wallets. A Micky Mouse operation at its best.”

Reacting to the development, however, Agbese, who doubles as the Deputy Spokesman of the House, has called on the Binance boss to support his claims with evidence or face the consequences of his actions.

Speaking with TheNigerian Online, the Benue lawmaker said, “I am outraged by the false allegations made by Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of the controversial crypto firm Binance, claiming that I was among those who demanded a $150m bribe from him.

“These allegations are false. I was not part of any meeting with any Binance executive regarding money for any purpose. The leadership of the committee took the matter to court, and Binance has already apologised.

“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 Akpanke, 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 Akpanke, with Hon Anekwe present, that he told me they were interfacing with the 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.”

He said he never saw the visitors again after the meeting and did not afterwards attend any meetings with Binance executives, the EFCC or the DSS.

“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,” he stated.

The lawmaker noted that the world of cryptocurrency is new to him, saying, “I have never used any cryptocurrency as I do not have a crypto wallet anywhere in the world.  I could not have asked for funds to be credited to a non-existent wallet.

“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.

“As a consequence of the foregoing, I demand that Tigran Gambaryan publishes any evidence that links Hon Philip Agbese to the issue. The man has spewed many other lies in his report about the government demanding information on opposition elements and other outrageous claims.

” I further demand that failing to provide evidence as stated, Tigran Gambaryan must cause a retraction of his malicious claims and publication and apologise to me within the next seven days or face legal action from my lawyers.”

He added that he has always been a target of foreign forces, noting, “This is not the first allegation against me by a foreign entity. The first was that I worked for the past government and the Armed Forces to promote Nigeria’s agenda, which shows the extent of desperation by entities that are interested in undermining public office holders they perceive as nationalistic.”

Onwusibe, who represents Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency, Abia State, chairs the House Committee on Anti-Corruption.

He declined to comment when contacted by TheNigerian Online, saying, “I’m already in court with them on this same issue. I don’t need to respond again as I briefed the press on this last year when it happened.”

Efforts to reach Akpanke for his comment were not fruitful.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed on Tuesday, signed two Executive Orders aimed at enhancing governance and simplifying the free conduct of government’s day-to-day businesses.

Among them, the Executive Orders 1 of 2025 is the Establishment of Zero Right Free of Way which seeks to safeguard from abduction and trafficking of children and minors in the state.

The other, the Telecom Service Providers which is the Executive Order 2, 2025 seeks to promote the development of robust telecom infrastructure, supported by incentives that attract investment and improve ease of doing business.

Governor Mohammed also swore in additional 11 special advisers, which he said was to enhance governance and ensure effective implementation of the administration’s developmental agenda.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony and signing of the 2 Executive Order, Governor Mohammed emphasised that the appointments were made to put in place individuals to leverage their expertise, experience, and commitment to support the administration in achieving its goals and addressing the aspirations of the people of Bauchi State.

He called on the new advisers to see their appointments as both a challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities.

The special advisers and their portfolios include Hon. Sanusi Khalifa, Special Adviser on Solid Minerals; Hon. Haladu Ayuba, Special Adviser on Societal Reorientation; Hon. Jidauna Tula, Special Adviser on Legal Matters and Hon. Adamu Bello who is designated as Special Adviser on Commerce and Industries.

The rest are Alh. Danladi Mohammed Danbaba, Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs; Hon. Sani Mohammed Burra, Special Adviser on State/National Assembly Matters; Hon. Yakub Ibrahim Hamza, Special Adviser on Higher Education as well as Hon. Shitu Zaki who is the Special Adviser on Political Matters.

Other are Usman DanTuraki, Labour Matters; Prof. Simon Madugu Yalams, Technical & Vocational Education as well as Abubakar Abdulhamid Bununu, Multilateral Coordination & Regional Integration.

While congratulating the appointees, Governor Mohammed urged them to demonstrate the highest level of dedication, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility in serving the people of the state.

He expressed confidence that their contributions would play a vital role in advancing the administration’s agenda and delivering meaningful progress across the state.

A United States federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.”

Judge John Coughenour, a Reagan appointee based in Seattle, issued a 14-day temporary restraining order on Thursday, halting the implementation of the controversial policy.

The decision came after Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and three other Democratic-led states challenged the order in court.

“I have been on the bench for over four decades. I can’t remember another case where the question presented was as clear,” Coughenour stated.

Expressing disbelief at the legal basis of the executive order, the judge questioned the administration’s legal counsel, asking, “Where were the lawyers?” He added that it “boggled” his mind that any attorney would argue the order was constitutional.

The lawsuit argued that Trump’s executive order directly violates the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all children born on US soil “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”

Washington state attorney Lane Polozola emphasised the urgency of the matter, noting that “births cannot be paused” while the courts deliberate.

“Babies are being born today here, and in the plaintiff states and around the country, with a cloud cast over their citizenship,” Polozola said, warning that children denied citizenship under Trump’s order would face “long-term substantial negative impacts.”

Polozola further argued that not only did the Trump administration ignore the potential harms of the policy, but that harm “appears to be the purpose” of the executive order.

The states opposing the policy contend that it would create financial and logistical burdens, as children denied citizenship would be ineligible for federal benefits, forcing state programs to absorb the costs.

The Trump administration argued that the clause “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” in the 14th Amendment gives the president the authority to exclude children of undocumented immigrants and even those whose parents are lawfully present but lack permanent legal status.

Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate urged the court to delay issuing an emergency order, arguing that more time was needed for a thorough review of the case.

“I understand your concerns,” Shumate said, but warned against making “a snap judgment on the merits.” He also noted that other lawsuits challenging the executive order were moving at a slower pace.

At the White House on Thursday, Trump vowed to fight the ruling, signaling that the legal battle was far from over.

Several other lawsuits have been filed against Trump’s order, including challenges from a coalition of Democratic attorneys general, immigrant rights groups, and individual plaintiffs.

In Maryland, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman is set to hear a separate case on February 5, brought by immigrant rights groups and pregnant women concerned about the order’s impact on their children. During a status conference, Justice Department attorney Brad Rosenberg admitted that federal agencies had not yet begun enforcing the policy.

“The executive order was issued three days ago during a time of change of administration. And so it’s very early for the agencies to develop their policies that would be necessary” to implement it, Rosenberg said.

Meanwhile, in another legal challenge in New Hampshire, a federal judge has scheduled a February 10 hearing to consider blocking the order.

President Donald Trump’s return to the White House on Monday saw the issuance of numerous executive orders aimed at reshaping United States’ policies on immigration, health, and foreign relations, among others.

While the directives primarily targeted his promises to unleash the “golden age of America”, their ripple effects extend beyond America to places like Nigeria and Africa at large.

Nigeria, which happens to be the most populous nation on the continent, will undoubtedly feel the impact of Trump’s executive orders in areas such as immigration restrictions, health, and trade policies, energy, etc.

Hereunder are five key executive orders issued by Trump and how they will affect Nigeria.

1. Birthright Citizenship: Following Trump’s executive order, titled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” taking effect from February 20, Nigerians can no longer travel to the United States to give birth with the hope that it would automatically grant the baby American citizenship.

There will be no more passports, citizenship certificates, and other documents to children born in the US to mothers who are in the country illegally or are temporary visa holders.
Also, if their fathers are not citizens or legal permanent residents, the children cannot be American citizens.
For a child born in the US to be an American citizen, at least one parent must be a US citizen or green card holder.

2. External Revenue Service: Under his America First Trade Policy, Trump announced plans to establish an External Revenue Service with a broader plan of using it to collect tariffs, duties and other foreign trade-related revenue.

The chairman of Nigeria’s Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Taiwo Oyedele, wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) handle that the move to impose tariffs and taxes on other countries could disrupt international trade and further complicate the already complex global tax system,
According to Oyedele, Trump’s decision highlighted the importance of the ongoing tax reforms in Nigeria.

“By revamping our tax system, we can better navigate potential challenges and seize any opportunities this development may present,” he said.

3. Deportation Policy: Trump on Monday kicked off his sweeping immigration crackdown, tasking the U.S. military with aiding border security.

Declaring illegal immigration a national emergency, Trump ordered the Pentagon to provide support for border wall construction, detention space, and migrant transportation and empowered the secretary of Defense to send troops to the border as needed.

Shortly after the inauguration, U.S. border authorities said they had shut down outgoing President Joe Biden’s CBP One entry program, which had allowed hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter the U.S. legally by scheduling an appointment on an app.

Existing appointments were cancelled, leaving migrants stunned and unsure of what to do.

Though the Director of the African Diaspora Congress, Obed Monago, had assured Nigerians in the US that fears of mass deportations under the Trump administration are unfounded, he relayed that US immigration policies are likely to become stricter.

If Monago’s statement turns out to be true, the implication is that Nigerians who fall short of immigration policies, and Nigerians who reside in the U.S. are are dependent on their children’s citizenship, already risk deportation.

4. Energy Emergency: Donald Trump declared a national energy emergency, as part of a barrage of pro-fossil fuel actions and efforts to “unleash” already booming US energy production that included also rolling back restrictions in drilling in Alaska and undoing a pause on gas exports.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, said on Tuesday that Trump’s sweeping policy on the restart of oil drilling in the US and drive for investment would impact global oil supply, which would impact Nigeria’s crude revenue and the Naira.
Yusuf said that the US decision to restart oil drilling may boost global crude supply, thereby leading to a reduction in global oil price, which will in turn impact negatively Nigeria’s crude oil revenue.

Going by Yusuf’s assertions, a reduction in global oil prices would reduce local energy prices, which is good for businesses and Nigerians, even though “it will negatively impact Nigeria’s oil revenue,” as he said.

5. Withdrawal from WHO: Trump’s announcement that he would withdraw the US from the World Health Organisation solidifies his disapproval of the WHO and its leadership. During Trump’s first term in 2020, he attempted to get the US to part ways with the global health organisation, citing its alleged mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic and other global health crises.

In Monday’s executive order, Trump accused the organisation of demanding “unfairly onerous payments from the US, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments”, a reference to China, which, according to Trump, contributes nearly 90% less to the WHO.

The US is the WHO’s top donor and partner, contributing $1.284bn during the 2022–2023 biennium. The withdrawal of US funding will negatively impact the WHO and its partners to identify and respond to emergencies across the world and advance other key global health priorities.

The withdrawal is expected to have profound implications for Nigeria and Africa at large, where the US-WHO partnership has been instrumental in addressing public health challenges, including disease outbreaks, workforce shortages, and health system inequities.

The US has been a key player in supporting WHO-led emergency responses to outbreaks like Ebola, Marburg virus, and mpox. In recent years, U.S.-WHO collaboration helped deliver vaccines and build health system capacity in several African nations.

Also, organisations like the Africa CDC are heavily reliant on WHO and U.S. collaboration and may face funding shortfalls with the withdrawal.

A coalition of 18 States in the United States has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, seeking to block his controversial executive order that denies United States citizenship to children born on American soil to undocumented immigrants.

The legal challenge, filed Tuesday in Federal District Court in Massachusetts, marked the first major battle over Trump’s immigration policies in his second term.

The lawsuit, led by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, alongside attorneys general from California and Massachusetts, argued that the order was an unconstitutional overreach of executive power.

“Presidents are powerful, but he is not a king. He cannot rewrite the Constitution with a stroke of the pen,” Platkin stated, calling Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship “extraordinary and extreme.”

The legal action was also backed by the cities of San Francisco and Washington, D.C., reinforcing broad opposition to the administration’s move.

LEADERSHIP reports that on Monday, just hours into his second term, Trump signed the executive order declaring that children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants would no longer be recognised as citizens. The directive also extended to certain children born to legal but temporary residents, such as foreign students or tourists.

Trump’s order argued that these children were not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States and, therefore, do not qualify for citizenship under the 14th Amendment—a stance that directly contradicts over a century of legal interpretation.

For more than 100 years, courts and past administrations have consistently upheld birthright citizenship, affirming that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all children born on U.S. soil, with the sole exception being children of accredited foreign diplomats.

Despite the administration’s bold claims, legal scholars predicted a tough road ahead for Trump’s order.

“If that’s true of student loans or COVID-19 rules or whatever, you’d think it would be true of citizenship as well,” said Gerard Magliocca, a professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, referring to recent Supreme Court decisions that blocked executive actions on major political issues without congressional approval.

He added, “The states are right, and the courts are probably going to agree with them.”

While most legal experts believed the courts will reject Trump’s order, some conservative judges have signaled support for his interpretation of the 14th Amendment.

Judge James C. Ho of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, a Trump appointee, has previously compared undocumented immigrants to an “invading army”—a comparison echoed by Texas state attorneys and Trump himself, who has described illegal border crossings as an “ongoing invasion.”

However, the Fifth Circuit does not oversee cases from Massachusetts, where the lawsuit was filed, making it unlikely that the administration’s arguments will gain immediate traction in this legal battle.

United States President, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship — a right guaranteed by the US Constitution and affirmed by the Supreme Court more than 125 years ago.

On Monday, Trump issued a blitz of executive actions to start reshaping federal immigration and border policy, many of which are expected to face significant legal challenges.

“As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions, and that is what I’m going to do,” Trump said in his inaugural address.

CBS News reports that the US government has long interpreted the US Constitution to mean that those born on American soil are citizens at birth, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution says, “All persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

But Trump directed federal agencies to stop issuing passports, citizenship certificates, and other documents to children born in the US to mothers who are in the country illegally and fathers who are not citizens or legal permanent residents, or to mothers who are temporary visa holders (and fathers who are not citizens or legal permanent residents).

Trump said his edict, which would not apply retroactively, should be enforced in 30 days. But just hours after it was issued, the American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups filed a lawsuit challenging the action in federal court.

He also cited extraordinary presidential powers to effectively suspend US asylum law, accusing migrants of staging an “invasion” at the southern border and endangering public health.

He authorised officials to “repel, repatriate, or remove” migrants, suspending their “physical entry” into the US through his constitutional powers. The far-reaching order essentially allows the U.S. government to stop adhering to American asylum law until Mr. Trump issues a “finding that the invasion at the southern border has ceased.”

Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), has appointed Ayo Adeonipekun as the registrar and chief executive.

The Institute in a release said “Adeonipekun brings on board, over 25 years of extensive multidisciplinary experience and exposure in Leadership, Finance, People and Performance Management, Corporate Planning and Administration.

He succeeds Dr. Josiah Akerewusi who retired after a meritorious service, spanning one decade.” Prior to his appointment, Adeonipekun  was the pioneer managing director/chief executive officer of Reliance Capital Limited, a  Funds/Portfolio Manager, duly licensed by the Securities and  Exchange Commission (SEC),

An Alumnus of Lagos Business School, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting (Second Class Upper Division) and a Master’s Degree in Finance, both from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

He is currently a Doctoral Candidate (PhD Finance) at Olabisi Onabanjo University.

 

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, he qualified as a Chartered Stockbroker in March 2006 whilst in the employ of Crossword Securities Limited. He also qualified as a Chartered Accountant in May 1997 and was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 2013.

 

He is a Certified Microfinance Banker (CIBN-MCP) and an Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Trading License holder of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and a Registered Capital Market Operator/Sponsored Individual with SEC.

 

President and chairman of CIS, Oluropo Dada stated “this is a critical role that requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the capital market. Adeonipekun possesses these qualities to transform the Institute into a world- class certification entity.”

 

Adeonipekun had served in various top management positions in leading organisations such as Marina International Bank (Now Access Bank), Crossword Securities Limited,  Sterling Bank, First City Monument Bank Plc, Susu Microfinance Bank and MBL Financial Services amongst others.

 

 

The board of Punch Nigeria Limited has announced the appointment of Mrs Valerie Omowunmi Tunde-Obe as Executive Director, Business Development and Innovation

According to a statement by the management of the publishers of Nigeria’s most-widely-read newspaper, Tunde-Obe’s appointment takes effect on January 1, 2025.

Before her new appointment, Tunde-Obe was a Non-Executive Director at Punch Nigeria Limited, contributing her expertise to corporate governance, strategic planning and innovation.

The new Executive Director is a multi-talented creative professional, entrepreneur and corporate leader with over two decades of experience in the arts, advertising, beauty and culinary industries.

She started her career as a copywriter at LTC/JWT Advertising, where she worked on campaigns for prominent brands such as Coca-Cola, Guinness, Unilever and Cadbury among others for many years.

She later delved into entrepreneurship, founding KOPYKATS & Associates Limited, a freelance copywriting and production firm; United Hairways Beauty Company; and Iya Ibadan Local Cuisine & Foods.

Tunde-Obe has made a significant impact on the Nigerian music scene. She and her husband, Tunde Obe, who perform under the musical name T.W.O, have built an impressive career as renowned recording artistes, spanning nearly 30 years.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Philosophy from the University of Lagos and has earned certifications in Entrepreneurship Essentials as well as Design Thinking & Innovation from Harvard Business School Online.

She is also certified in Natural Hair Care Formulation from Joan Morais Cosmetic School.

During her leisure time, she enjoys listening to music, reading, painting, travelling and connecting with people.