Defamation Lawsuit Against Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan

Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan is facing a $662,000 defamation lawsuit from Nigerian lawmaker Philip Agbese, who denies bribery allegations.

Nigerian lawmaker Philip Agbese has filed a lawsuit seeking 1 billion Nigerian Naira (approximately $662,000) for defamation against Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive, over claims of bribery. According to local news outlet Vanguard, the lawsuit was filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and asserts that Gambaryan falsely implicated Agbese in corruption.

Agbese vehemently denies the allegations and seeks a court declaration labeling the claims as defamatory. The lawsuit requests a public apology, prohibits further claims, and demands 1 billion Naira in damages along with an additional 5 million Naira to cover legal fees.

The suit refers to statements made by Gambaryan that accuse Agbese and two other Nigerian lawmakers of attempting to solicit a $150 million bribe via crypto transactions. Agbese’s legal team contends that Gambaryan’s comments were “false, malicious, and meant to harm” Agbese’s reputation. Furthermore, Agbese claims he has never owned a crypto account or engaged in digital transactions.

In February 2023, Gambaryan, who holds American citizenship, was arrested alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan, by Nigerian authorities at an Abuja airport after a call for Binance representatives. Following their arrest, all Naira and peer-to-peer services on Binance in Nigeria were suspended. After eight months in detention, Gambaryan was released when money laundering charges against him were dismissed by the government.

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