The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption has firmly rejected allegations made by a top executive from a cryptocurrency firm. The executive claimed that the lawmaker, along with two other federal legislators, demanded a bribe of $150 million in exchange for halting his arrest and prosecution in Nigeria amid allegations of financial misconduct.
In a recent statement, the lawmaker denied the accusations, which surfaced after the executive accused him and his colleagues of extortion via a social media post. The lawmaker expressed disbelief at the claims, describing them as unfounded and defamatory.
According to the allegations, during a meeting in connection with an investigation, the lawmaker’s committee was accused of orchestrating a fake media setup to lend an air of legitimacy to their demands. The executive claimed that they requested a significant bribe, allegedly to be paid in cryptocurrency.
In response to these serious accusations, a fellow lawmaker challenged the executive to provide evidence to support his claims or face legal ramifications. The chairman, representing a district in Abia State, stated that he had chosen initially not to engage in public discourse regarding the issue due to ongoing legal proceedings but felt compelled to address the matter due to growing public concern and misrepresentation of his character.
He clarified that the Committee on Anti-Corruption began investigating the cryptocurrency firm after receiving a petition from a civil society organization concerning alleged financial crimes that threatened the Nigerian economy. Following consultations, the committee invited the firm’s CEO to a public hearing.
He noted that despite their initial cooperation, the CEO repeatedly failed to attend scheduled public hearings, and the committee was forced to postpone them multiple times to accommodate their requests. The lawmaker emphasized that his interaction with the firm’s representatives was conducted in a professional manner with no demands or discussions about bribes.
As the controversy escalated, the lawmaker discovered that high-ranking executives of the firm, including the CEO, were under investigation by Nigeria’s security agencies. In a recent public statement by the firm’s CEO, claims were made that the lawmaker deemed defamatory, prompting him to take legal action seeking an apology and damages.
The lawmaker stated that the allegations made by the executive appear to be a diversion aimed at drawing attention away from the company’s ongoing legal challenges and emphasized that his committee acted independently and without any collusion with security agencies.
He further criticized the firm for its troubling legal history in various countries, including significant fines for regulatory violations. The backlash from the public has deeply affected the lawmaker, who expressed disappointment at how swiftly individuals have accepted the firm’s narrative without thorough examination.
He concluded by noting that the accusations not only tarnish his reputation but also have broader implications for his political party and ethnic identity. The ongoing legal case related to these allegations is scheduled to continue in the upcoming months.
