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Binance Executive Leaves Nigeria After Eight Months In Detention

Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan left Nigeria on Thursday, October 24, after he was detained for eight months in Kuje Prison.

The Bola Tinubu-led administration had abruptly withdrawn charges against Gambaryan on health grounds and after diplomatic pressures.

Initial charges were brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

While dropping the charges in court on Wednesday, EFCC prosecutor stated, “The government has reviewed the case and, taken into consideration that the second defendant (Mr Gambaryan) is an employee of the first defendant (Binance Holdings Limited), whose status in the matter has more impact than the second defendant’s, and also taking into consideration some critical international and diplomatic reasons, the state seeks to discontinue the case against the second defendant”.

It was gathered that Tigran was allowed to leave Kuje prison last night.

In a statement to journalists on behalf of the Binance executive’s family, it was disclosed that Tigran, a US citizen, left Nigeria to return to his family.

Tigran’s wife Yuki Gambaryan stated: “It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release, or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the US government for their efforts in securing his release. I also want to thank everyone who helped us throughout this ordeal. There were moments I feared this day would never come, but Tigran’s supporters gave me hope and strength.

“The road ahead for Tigran’s recovery is going to be difficult and I appreciate us being given the time and space to focus on that. Our children cannot wait to see their dad again.”

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Nigeria Lost Over $500m to Cybercrime in 2022 – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has opened up that Nigeria lost $500 million to the criminal activity in 2022.
The revelation was made by the Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ola Olukoyede during a National Cybercrime Summit in Abuja on Tuesday.
“As a matter of fact, the research I did earlier this year confirmed that cybercrime has become the third largest GDP in the world with approximately 2,328 cases occurring daily.
 
“The implication of all this is that if left unchecked, cybercrimes portend grave dangers to the entire world.
 
“Bringing it to Nigeria, in 2022 alone, Nigeria lost over $500 million to cybercrime,” he said.
The chairman of the EFCC noted that cybercrime constitutes a significant percentage of the convictions recorded by the agency since he took office a year ago.
However, Olukoyede revealed that the agency has made plans to rechannel the energies of young people who are mostly perpetrators of cybercrime.
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N15m EFCC Bribery: Bobrisky Must Appear Before Reps – VeryDarkMan

Social media activist, Martins Ortse aka VeryDarkMan has stated that popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, must appear before the House of Representative.
He made the statement on Friday while reacting to the latest video by Bobrisky cautioning Nigerians against fighting their helpers on Instagram.
VeryDarkMan said the crossdresser has no reason not to appear before the committee because the footage has shown that he’s okay.
Posting on Instagram, VDM as he’s also referred to, said the House of Representatives committee conducting the hearing had summoned all parties involved in the matter on October 21, Monday.
Recently, VDM had released an audio of Bobrisky claiming to have allegedly bribed EFCC officials with the sum of N15 million.
During his conversation, Bobrisky also claimed not to have spent his six-month jail term in Kirikiri prison due to the influence of his godfather.
The revelation led to an investigative hearing by the House of Representatives, but Bobrisky failed to appear before the committee.
However, VeryDarkMan said: “In response to this video from Bobrisky, Nigerians can all see that he’s okay and we have all been invited again on October 21 to appear before the House of Representatives for further continuation of the investigative hearing.
 
“You must present yourself on Monday because we now know that you are okay and not what he was saying during the last hearing that he was ill.
 
“On Monday, we will know what really happened because people think the matter is dead, but I’m pushing harder to ensure that my lawyer, Adeyanju gets a date which we now have. So, on Monday Nigerians should expect one or two things in the House of Reps committee.”
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I Did Not Give Falz Or Falana Money For Pardon Nor Defame Them, VDM Should Take Responsibility For The Released Audio – Bobrisky

Popular Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky has blatantly denied claims that he gave money to the Falanas to help him secure presidential pardon while he was imprisoned for Naira abuse.

He stated this on his Instastories hours after the Falanas gave him 12 hours to apologize for the claims he reportedly made in a viral audio clip released by Verydarkman VDM last month.

Recall that VDM had released two audio clips purportedly of Bobrisky speaking to a man.  In one of the recordings, the person claimed to be Bobrisky said that he had spoken with Falz to request his help in convincing his father (Falana) to secure a presidential pardon, which allegedly involved a payment of N10 million. The person further claimed that he asked Falz for N3 million to ensure preferential treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

In another audio released by VeryDarkMan, the person claimed to be Bobrisky alleged he had paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to obtain a Federal Government pardon for charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In the statement released in his Instagram page, Bobrisky insisted he is not the person in the viral audio clip. He said his lawyer will release a statement to this effect.

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EFCC vs Bobrisky: VeryDarkMan To Appear Before Reps On Monday Over N15m Bribe

Martins Vincent Otse, the popular Nigerian social media influencer, who is also known as VeryDarkMan will appear before the House of Representatives on Monday over the bribery allegations made against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

VeryDarkMan had released an audio of crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky claiming to have bribed EFCC officials with N15 million to drop the money laundering case against him.

In the alleged video, Borisky also claimed he never spent his six-month jail term in Kirikiri prison in Lagos because his godfather made arrangements for him in a lodge.

Aggrieved by the allegation, the House of Representatives had invited VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky and EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede as part of its probe into the matter.

However, VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, said his client would honour the invitation as part of efforts to assist with the investigation.

Chatting with Daily Post on Sunday, Adeyanju said: “We will be at the National Assembly tomorrow with our client @thatverydarkman to assist in investigations into allegations by Bobrisky that he/she paid N15m to have money laundering charges dropped by EFCC and also bribed prison officials to stay in an apartment.”

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House Of Reps Invites EFCC Chairman, VeryDarkMan And Bobrisky Over Bribery Allegations

On Friday, the House of Representatives summoned EFCC Chairperson Ola Olukoyede, social media influencer VDM (Martins Otse), and Bobrisky regarding allegations of bribery involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Correctional Service.

In a letter dated 27th September 2024, the committee asked the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyode, and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa to appear on Monday the 30th, with all officers involved in the allegation.

Others invited are ACG Ben Rabbi Freedman the Controller of Corrections Lagos Command as of then, Ja’afaru Ahmed Secretary Board, Micheal Anugwa DCC in charge of medium Security, Sikiru Adekunle DCC in charge of Maximum Security, Bobrisky and VeryDarkman.

The allegation of bribery was made against the anti-graft agency and the Nigeria Correctional Service involving  Bobrisky, who was sentenced earlier this year to six months in prison for abuse of the naira.

In a trending audio conversation made public by VeryDarkMan, it was alleged that Bobrisky paid N15 million to EFCC to drop charges of money laundering initially made against him and that he spent time in a VIP facility instead of prison.

This comes after the House of Representatives launched a probe into the alleged bribery against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

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Prison Experts Explain Why Bobrisky’s Was Provided A Special Accommodation

Prison experts have clarified why controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, was reportedly provided with an apartment to serve his six-month sentence.

Speaking on Arise TV Morning Show on Friday, the Director General of the Prison Rehabilitation Mission, Bishop Kayode Williams, highlighted different prison accommodations in Nigeria.

In his words: “There are accommodations for condemned prisoners, those sentenced to death, who must not mingle with other inmates. The second accommodation is convicted inmates, who are the owners of the prison.

“The accommodation that is provided for males, are they going to bring Idris with his transgender body /look to go and sleep in the general cell? The first thing they do is decide how to treat someone like that.

“They provided him a special place for protective custody because, with his appearance, he would be in danger.

“He looks like a woman, moves like a woman, and there are homosexual inmates who would be willing to take things to extreme lengths.”

Supporting with Kayode, the former National PRO of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Francis Enobore, said that the service profiles each inmate for both their safety and the general prison environment.

“Yes, he confessed in court that he is a man but he came in bodily showing that he is a woman. Some of the people behind bars are unrepentant homosexuals. There is no doubt that if care is not taken, we will have a very serious security situation on our hands,” he said.

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EFCC Declares Driver Wanted For Stealing Commission’s Car

A man identified as Ibrahim Mohammed, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In a statement released today, September 13, the EFCC said Mohammed is wanted for an alleged case of stealing and illegal possession of the commission’s vehicle.

The Commission says the 26-year-old is an indigene of Jada Local Government Area of Adamawa State and his last known address is 56 Japa Bariki Road, Adamawa State.

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Very Soon You Will See Some Banks Get Prosecuted – EFCC Boss Talks Tough

Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has firmly committed to a thorough and vigorous enforcement of the nation’s financial laws. The Commission aims to thoroughly cleanse the banking sector and protect it from the harmful effects of criminal activities by rogue individuals.

This forthright declaration was made on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the prestigious Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN)’s 17th Annual Banking and Finance Conference, which was convened under the thought-provoking theme: “Accelerated Economic Growth and Development: The State of Play and the Way Forward.”

The conference was held at the opulent Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

Speaking tough on what will be done, Olukoyede said: “I make bold to tell you with every sense of humility that we are no longer folding our arms. As a matter of fact some of the mind-boggling, major financial fraud and onslaught that have been carried out against the economy ran through the banking industry. We are committed to working with the institute in sanitizing the financial services sector through robust enforcement of our financial laws and insulating it from impact from criminals both from within and from without.”

Olukoyede further reiterated the Commission’s unwavering commitment to the enforcement of extant laws and penal sanctions, emphasizing that no individual, regardless of their stature or position within the banking and financial sector, would be spared in the cleansing endeavor.

“In as much as we are ready to work with you to sanitize the system, we must also note that it is extremely important to state that when there are criminal infractions, penal sanctions will follow. We have compiled our documents; we have made the necessary investigations, we have concluded and very soon you will see some banks get prosecuted and top officials prosecuted. We need to just do something drastic to bring everybody in line. To do the right thing is extremely important. In a system where there are no penal sanctions for criminal infractions, that system will never survive.

“From our experience with the investigation of financial crimes involving members of the banking profession, there is gross contempt for regulations that bother on impunity. Operators secretly devise means to circumvent regulations and rules in a desperate bid for higher yields. Sharp practices such as forex round-tripping, defrauding of investors through phantom charges and complicity in money laundering and illicit financial flow involving politically-exposed persons continue to undermine the integrity of the sector and by extension the nation’s economy.

“Look at yourselves in the mirror and leave this place with renewed commitment to professionalism and determination to provide services that will assist the growth and development of the Nigerian economy,” the EFCC boss stated.

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Traditional Rulers Now Conniving With Illegal Miners – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made a damning accusation against some traditional rulers.
EFCC accused them of conniving with illegal miners.


According to the anti-graft agency, monarchs are carrying out the act despite the negative impacts on their communities and the coun­try generally.

The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the two-day first International Anti-Corruption and Climate Change Conference organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) in collaboration with Hawkmoth and supported by the MacArthur Foundation.
According to him, “When we are talking about environmental degradation, what is going on now with the illegal mining, in another five years it is going to be much, worse than the degradation that oil and gas exploration has caused.
 
“So let us begin to have that at the back of our mind. It (illegal mining) is a major problem that we are grappling with. You need to see the pictures of some of the environmental damage that ille­gal mining is causing; not even from foreigners alone, but par­ticularly by our own indigenous people, in their environment. In some cases, supported by some traditional rulers.”
 
He also said that the severe environmental damage in the Niger Delta, including oil spills and pollution, was largely driven by corruption, not just natural causes.
He said, “The Niger Delta to­day is riddled with cases of oil spills, pollution and damage to the ecosystem. This cannot be blamed on natural occurrences alone. Corruption is at the root of climatic disruptions.”

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