Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Delegated Legislation, Hon. Dominic Okafor, denied on Friday the allegation of a $140 million bribe from Binance Executives.
Hon. Okafor spoke during a press briefing held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where he threatened to take legal action against an online news platform.
The lawmaker had sponsored a motion during Wednesday’s plenary to investigate the mysterious escape of an executive of a cryptocurrency exchange company, Binance, Nadeem Anjarwalla, during a security breach that occurred while he was in a guest house under the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Worried by the turn of events, Hon. Okafor expressed grave displeasure over the series of calls received after the resolution passed by the House.
He stated, “I am here this afternoon to address the false information that has been circulating on social media since the sponsorship of my motion on Wednesday, May 8th, a motion of urgent national importance in which I discussed the need to investigate the escape from custody of one of the executives of Binance, Mr Nadir Anjewala.”
“Shortly after I moved that motion, which was well received, a lot of people were calling to commend me. Shortly after that, I started getting calls from my friends all over the world saying I collected bribe from this very company.
“I got worried, and after that, I wrote a letter to Premium Times, the media company that originated the story. I wrote a letter to them in which I copied the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk, Inspector General of Police, EFCC, and DSS.
“I asked them to retrieve the information within 24 hours; if not, I would take legal action against them.
“That is why I am here to exonerate myself from such accusations aimed at tarnishing my image, which I have earned over the years.
“I am coming from the private sector. I have been a member of Rotary International for over 25 years. For those of you who know what Rotary means and what it stands for, and someone who wants to tarnish that image and integrity I have built over the years.
“I never knew anything about such transactions. Rather, I moved a motion of national importance, something I feel because of my interest in the country of Nigeria and for any personal interest.
“The motion I moved has to do with an investigation to find out how Nadir Njewala escaped from the custody of national security and has nothing to do with bribery or no bribery. It is still a mystery to me. I wouldn’t know how it emanated.”
Hon. Okafor, who threatened legal action if the report is not pulled down, explained that he has been discussing with his legal advisers the next line of action to take.
“This thing happened yesterday. So, we are looking at all the circumstances, and we are looking at the right legal action to take.
“For the online media man who accused me of collecting $140 million, I don’t think that is something we would sweep under the rug. I am discussing this with my legal team to know the right action to take,” he stressed.
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