The House of Representatives has denied demanding bribes from Binance Holdings Limited in the tax evasion and money laundering charges against the cryptocurrency platform.
The House also resolved to launch an investigation into the escape of Nadeem Anjarwalla, one of the Binance Executives from the National Security Adviser’s custody in March.
Richard Teng, the CEO of Binance in a blog post on Tuesday alleged that the House Committee on Financial Crimes, chaired by Ginger Onwusibe (LP, Abia) demanded money from representatives of Binance during a meeting at the National Assembly Complex in January.
“As our employees were leaving the venue, they were approached by unknown persons who suggested to them to make a payment in settlement of the allegations,” Teng wrote.
According to Teng, the meeting was chaired by Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, Peter Aniekwe, as well as a clerk.
Read also: Fleeing Binance executive tracked to Kenya, FG intensifies extradition efforts
During a plenary session on Wednesday, Kama Nkemkanma from Ebonyi state, raised a point of privilege to state that the House never met with Binance and no bribe has ever been demanded.
“This House can never allow itself to be talked down. Nothing like that has ever happened. No committee of the House has ever engaged this man.
“We have never invited this person before. This House has never had a meeting with this person before. And this person woke up one morning and decided to accuse this House of demanding a bribe from them. This House can never allow itself to be embarrassed or talked down on in any way,” he said.
The House resolution to investigate the circumstances that led to the escape of the Binance executive followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by Dennis Okafor.
Okafor in his prayers asked the relevant committees of the House to investigate and persecute those responsible for the escape of the Binance executive from detention.
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