Founder of Silverbird Group and politician Ben Murray-Bruce has defended National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu against bribery allegations made by Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan.
Gambaryan, head of financial crime compliance at Binance, alleged that Ribadu sought to personally benefit from Nigeria’s dispute with the cryptocurrency firm.
He claimed Ribadu hired a US law firm to negotiate his release from detention but that the effort failed due to “incompetence and greed.”
The Binance executive, who was detained in Nigeria for several months, made these allegations on Friday on his X page, accusing Ribadu of demanding “billions in payouts” to fund his political ambitions.
“Ribadu emphasised that he wanted billions in payouts to fund his future political ambition.
“However, when the corruption scandal came to light, he was trapped—because any settlement would now be perceived as a bribe. I guess he really wanted his boss’ job,” Gambaryan wrote.
Reacting on his X page on Saturday, Murray-Bruce dismissed the claims, asserting that Ribadu never demanded any bribe and describing the allegations as baseless attempts to tarnish Nigeria’s image.
“I have known Mallam Nuhu Ribadu my entire life, and I can say with absolute certainty that he is incapable of the allegations being leveled against him,” he wrote on X.
Murray-Bruce challenged Gambaryan to take a lie detector test if he believed his accusations were true.
“It is exhausting to witness individuals repeatedly dragging Nigeria’s name through the mud with baseless accusations and fabricated evidence.
“Tigran Gambaryan should consider himself fortunate to have been allowed to leave because if Nuhu had his way, I am supremely confident he would have ensured that he remained behind bars for a hundred years.
“I swear on my life—Girma is lying, and I demand that @TigranGambaryan submit to a lie detector test in a neutral country, excluding both the United States and Nigeria.”
He further called on Gambaryan to prepare a public apology, insisting that individuals who spread falsehoods about Nigeria should face consequences.
“Furthermore, I hope Tigran Gambaryan begins drafting the public apology he will inevitably have to issue once he fails that test.
“Individuals like him must be decisively dealt with, ensuring that such reckless fabrications are not only exposed but also serve as a warning to other deceitful actors who seek to undermine Nigeria.”
