The Federal Government, through Minister Alhaji-Mohammed Idris, has vehemently refuted the bribery allegations leveled by Binance, asserting that such claims are merely diversionary tactics aimed at deflecting attention from the company's own legal woes. In a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister emphasized that Binance's attempt to portray itself as a victim is unfounded, given the serious criminal charges it faces in Nigeria. The Minister highlighted that the allegations of bribery lack substance and are indicative of Binance's desperation to evade accountability for its actions.
Furthermore, Minister Idris underscored that Binance's founder and former CEO, Changpeng Zhao, recently pleaded guilty to similar charges in the United States, resulting in imprisonment and substantial fines. He emphasized that the Nigerian government remains committed to upholding the law and international norms, refusing to yield to any form of blackmail from either domestic or foreign entities. The Minister reiterated that the only path for Binance to address its legal issues in Nigeria is through transparent investigation and adherence to judicial due process.