In a series of explosive allegations following his release from Nigerian custody, Binance's head of financial crime, Tigran Gambaryan, has accused Nigerian lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe and claimed the government sought to misuse customer data to target opposition members.

Gambaryan, who was detained in Nigeria from February to October 2024, named three lawmakers - Peter Akpanke, Philip Agbese, and Ginger Onwusibe - as participants in what he described as a "Mickey Mouse operation" involving fake cameras and media setups. According to Gambaryan, the lawmakers demanded the bribe be paid in cryptocurrency to their personal wallets during a January 5, 2024 meeting.

The accusations have been met with denials from multiple parties. Philip Agbese acknowledged attending the meeting but insisted he was there briefly and made no demands, emphasizing he is not a member of the Financial Crimes Committee. Agbese has threatened legal action unless Gambaryan provides evidence or retracts his claims within seven days. Committee chairman Ginger Onwusibe has already initiated legal action against Binance.

The controversy extends beyond the bribery allegations. Gambaryan claims the Nigerian government attempted to use Binance to access citizens' data for targeting opposition members and scapegoated the company for the naira's devaluation, which he attributes to President Bola Tinubu's monetary policy of depegging the currency from the dollar.

The Nigerian government has rejected these accusations. In a statement, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris called Gambaryan's allegations "unsubstantiated" and lacking credibility, suggesting they were motivated by a desire to "discredit and intimidate those who ensured he faced justice." The government revealed it had declined a $5 million settlement offer from Binance, instead reaching an agreement with the American government that led to Gambaryan's release on humanitarian grounds in October 2024.

The case has broader implications for cryptocurrency regulation in Nigeria and international business relations. It began with Gambaryan's arrest alongside another Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, over allegations of money laundering and tax evasion. Anjarwalla later escaped custody under disputed circumstances, leaving Gambaryan to face charges alone until his release following U.S. government intervention.

Both the Nigerian and American judicial systems are expected to provide venues for these allegations to be tested, as multiple parties have indicated their intention to pursue legal action.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has called for the arming of local communities to serve as the first line of defense against insecurity in Nigeria.

Speaking on Thursday at the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja, Ajayi emphasized the need for community-based security measures before the intervention of law enforcement agencies such as the police and military.

Citing an example from Azare, Bauchi State, where residents successfully repelled a Boko Haram attack, Ajayi argued that empowering communities to defend themselves is a practical approach to tackling insecurity.

“You do not expect the Nigerian Army, police, and SSS to protect every Nigerian—it is not going to work,” he said, stressing that security agencies should focus on larger threats like organized crime.

Ajayi proposed that the country should explore ways to enable communities to take charge of their own security, including limited armament, to strengthen local defenses. He urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and take concrete actions to address insecurity.

Defence Chief Calls for Holistic Approach to Security

The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, who also spoke at the event, underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat Nigeria’s security challenges. He highlighted the complexity of threats, ranging from terrorism and cybercrime to transnational organized crime and climate-induced conflicts.

Musa called for enhanced collaboration among security agencies and the adoption of technology, intelligence gathering, and strategic partnerships to stay ahead of security threats.

Three Israeli hostages set to return from Gaza as ceasefire holds

Israeli hostages Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Sasha Troufanov are expected to return from Gaza on Saturday after Egyptian and Qatari mediators helped avert a standoff that threatened to sink a fragile ceasefire that has halted fighting for almost a month.

Palestinian militant group Hamas said the three would be returned, in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, easing fears that the agreement could collapse before the end of a 42-day ceasefire.

Dekel-Chen, a U.S.-Israeli, Troufanov, a Russian Israeli, and Horn, whose brother Eitan was also abducted, were seized in Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the communities around the Gaza Strip that was overrun by Hamas gunmen on October 7, 2023.

Hamas had earlier threatened not to release more hostages after it accused Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire by blocking aid from entering Gaza, drawing counterthreats of a resumption of fighting from Israel, which called up reservists and placed its forces on high alert.

Israelis were angered by the emaciated appearance and accounts of mistreatment of three hostages released last week but there were also large protests demanding that the government keep going with the deal to bring all the hostages home.

Prospects for the ceasefire surviving were also clouded by U.S. President Donald Trump's call for Palestinians to be moved permanently out of Gaza, and for the enclave to be turned over to the United States to be redeveloped, a call that was strongly rejected by Palestinian groups and Arab states.

Hamas agreed last month to hand over 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children and older men, in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, during a six-week truce during which Israeli forces would pull back from some of their positions in Gaza.

Before Saturday, 16 of the 33 Israeli hostages had been returned, along with five Thais who were handed over in an unscheduled release. That left 76 hostages still in Gaza, only around half of whom are thought to be alive.

GAZA LARGELY IN RUINS

The truce was intended to open the way for a second phase of negotiations to return remaining hostages and complete the withdrawal of Israeli forces before a final end to the war and the rebuilding of Gaza, which now lies largely in ruins, facing shortages of food, running water and electricity.

The Hamas threat to hold off from releasing more hostages followed its accusation that Israel had blocked tents and temporary shelter materials from entering into Gaza, leaving tens of thousands exposed to the winter cold.

Israel rejected the accusation, saying it had allowed thousands of aid trucks in, and accusing Hamas in its turn of reneging on the agreement.

International aid groups say that more truckloads of aid have been entering Gaza since the start of the ceasefire but aid officials say the amounts are insufficient to meet the needs of the population.

Israel invaded the coastal enclave after the Hamas-led attack on communities in Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and taking more than 250 as hostages.

The Israeli military campaign that followed has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Palestinian health ministry figures, destroyed many of its buildings and left most of the population homeless.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Putin discusses with Security Council his conversation with Trump — spokesman

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a closed-door discussion with the Security Council regarding his recent conversation with US President Donald Trump, as well as the broader context of ongoing contacts with the United States, Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS.

"Of course, [he discussed it]," Peskov responded to a related question.

Putin's conversation with Trump occurred on Wednesday and marked their first communication in three years. The last official dialogue between the two leaders took place in July 2020, during Trump's previous term in office.

During their discussion, Putin and Trump advocated for a negotiated resolution of the Ukrainian crisis, promoted the development of cooperation between their nations, and agreed to maintain personal communication, including the organization of in-person meetings.

Putin's meetings with the Security Council are regular occurrences, typically held on a weekly basis. In today's open part of the session, participants discussed preparations for the upcoming season of spring fires and floods.

Generally, these meetings focus on strategic issues concerning national security. Additionally, Putin maintains daily contact with the permanent members of the Security Council to address current matters. This group includes the country's top leadership, such as the prime minister, the speakers of both houses of parliament, heads of specialized ministries and agencies, and other key officials.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Zelenskiy says Ukraine has 'low chance' of survival without US backing

Ukraine has little chance of surviving Russia's assault without U.S. support, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday after phone calls this week by U.S. President Donald Trump with Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Probably it will be very, very, very difficult. And of course, in all the difficult situations, you have a chance. But we will have low chance - low chance to survive without support of the United States," Zelenskiy said in an interview on the NBC News program "Meet the Press."

An excerpt was released on Friday from the interview, which will be broadcast on Sunday.

Trump discussed the war on Wednesday in separate calls with Putin and Zelenskiy, in the U.S. president's first big step toward diplomacy in a conflict he has promised to end quickly.

Trump later said he did not think it was practical for Kyiv to join NATO and that it was unlikely Ukraine would get back all its land. Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine demands Russia withdraw from captured territory and says it must receive NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees to prevent Moscow from attacking again.

Zelenskiy said in the interview that Putin wanted to come to the negotiating table not to end the war but to get a ceasefire deal to lift some global sanctions on Russia and allow Moscow's military to regroup.

"This is really what he wants. He wants pause, prepare, train, take off some sanctions, because of ceasefire," Zelenskiy said.

Trump said his call with Putin was a good conversation that lasted over an hour, while the Kremlin said it lasted nearly an hour and a half. Zelenskiy's office said Trump and Zelenskiy spoke for about an hour. Trump said the call "went very well."

Tass/Reuters

Unable to offer attractive wages, a Japanese tech company has been trying to attract new talent by offering ingenious benefits such as free alcoholic drinks at work and hangover leaves.

Since the burst of the Japanese economic bubble in the early 1990s, the Japanese economy has been stagnating along with employee salaries. Even though some corporations have announced plans to increase starting wages in hopes of attracting new talent, small and medium-sized companies simply don’t have that option because their budgets don’t allow it. In order to compete with big players, they have to think outside the box and offer appealing and sometimes unorthodox benefits to potential employees. One small technology company in Osaka recently went viral in the Land of the Rising Sun by offering its staff free alcoholic drinks during work hours and hangover leaves to clear their heads.

Drinking on the job is usually frowned upon, but not at Trust Ring Co., Ltd., a small technology company in Midoribashi, Osaka. Here, the boss himself brings the booze and happily toasts with his employees as part of a special benefit meant to attract young talent. And if some of them have one or two drinks too many, they can use their “hangover leaves” to come in late at work, no questions asked.

“Because I used the ‘hangover leave’ system, I can go back to work at 12 o’clock,” one female employee recently told Kansai TV. “You can sleep for 2 or 3 more hours and come back to work with a clear mind. I feel like I will be more efficient.”

The CEO of Trust Ring Co., Ltd. explained that he came up with these unusual benefits because he couldn’t afford to pay his employees more. Trying to compete with large corporations in terms of salary was a losing battle, so he had to offer people something they valued more than money.

“The starting salary at our company is 222,000 yen, which already includes 20 hours of overtime pay, so it’s almost the minimum wage,” the boss said. “We really can’t raise the starting salary, so I think that small and medium-sized enterprises should focus on attracting talent with similar ideas.”

Oddity Central

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the revered leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, has passed away at the age of 96. He died peacefully on the morning of Friday, February 14, 2025, at his residence in Lekki, Lagos State. His family confirmed his passing in a statement released to the press, describing him as a man who dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth, equity, and justice.

Adebanjo, a distinguished lawyer and former organizing secretary of the Action Group, was a towering figure in Nigerian politics and a steadfast disciple of the late Obafemi Awolowo, Nigeria’s iconic nationalist and statesman.

Throughout his life, Adebanjo upheld the values and principles that Awolowo championed, earning him recognition as one of the most prominent Awoists of his generation. His unwavering commitment to Awolowo’s vision of a progressive, equitable, and independent Nigeria defined his legacy.

“We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity, and justice. His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total, and this he fought for until he breathed his last breath,” the family’s statement read.

Adebanjo’s life was a testament to the enduring influence of Awolowo’s ideals. As a key figure in Afenifere, he played a pivotal role in advancing the socio-political agenda of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole. His advocacy for federalism, good governance, and social justice resonated deeply with many Nigerians, earning him widespread respect and admiration.

He is survived by his 94-year-old wife, Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, along with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The family has announced that consultations are ongoing with Adebanjo’s friends, associates, and various interest groups across Nigeria and beyond to finalize plans for a befitting funeral. Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

A condolence register has been opened at his residence at 8, Ayo Adebanjo Close, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, as well as his country home in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. The statement was signed on behalf of the family by Mrs. Ayotunde Atteh (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), Mrs. Adeola Azeez (nee Ayo-Adebanjo), and Mr. Obafemi Ayo-Adebanjo.

As Nigeria mourns the loss of this iconic leader, Adebanjo’s legacy as a devoted Awoist and tireless advocate for justice will continue to inspire generations to come. His life serves as a reminder of the enduring relevance of Awolowo’s vision and the importance of steadfast leadership in the pursuit of a better Nigeria.

Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), has just had his first taste of what ordinary Nigerians endure daily at foreign embassies. And, oh, how it stings!

His outburst yesterday—“They can go to hell!”—after Canada denied visas to Nigeria’s defence chief, Christopher Musa, and other top military officers, is nothing short of poetic justice. Welcome, dear sir, to the world of humiliation, endless rejections, and embassy-induced heartbreaks that regular Nigerians face while trying to escape the mess your ruling class has turned the country into.

For years, ordinary citizens have been treated like unwanted visitors by embassies worldwide, all thanks to the woeful state of the nation. From students seeking education abroad, to professionals looking for greener pastures, and even sick Nigerians desperate for medical treatment—the visa process is a game of dice, with rejection the default outcome. Why? Because Nigeria, under the stewardship of its political and military elite, has been reduced to a global punchline.

Yet, here we are, watching top government officials, who have long enjoyed their privileged access to the world, suddenly getting a taste of reality. How does it feel, sir? Does it burn? Does it frustrate? Perhaps, next time, instead of railing against Canada, you could channel that anger into fixing Nigeria—so that its passport means something, and our people aren’t treated like international orphans.

That said, Canada, calm down!This isn’t the moment for excessive arrogance. After all, your own international reputation isn’t exactly soaring at this time. The Americans mock you at every turn, and Donald Trump, the current U.S. president, routinely ridicules you as nothing more than a glorified northern outpost of America. Several times, he jibbed that Canada should be incorporated as the 51st state of the U.S. Maybe you should focus on that humiliation before flexing unnecessary muscle over visa decisions.

Still, for Ribadu and his ilk, this should be a wake-up call. The world sees Nigeria as a failing state because those in power have made it one. If you don’t want to suffer further indignities, then fix the country.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has angrily condemned the Canadian embassy's decision to deny visas to Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Christopher Musa and other military leaders.

The incident came to light during the inaugural annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) in Abuja on Thursday, where CDS Musa revealed that he and several top military officers were unable to attend a veterans' honor ceremony in Canada due to visa denials.

"Every disappointment is a blessing. Yesterday, I was meant to be in Canada. There's an event to honour our veterans, those that were injured during battles, and we were meant to be there," Musa explained. "We were invited with our team. Half has gone and half has been denied. It's very disappointing."

The CDS viewed the situation as a reminder that Nigeria must "stand on its own, stand strong as a nation and should no longer be taken for granted."

Responding to Musa's disclosure, an visibly angry Ribadu commended the CDS's candor before delivering his pointed response: "Thank you for the courage to say Canada denied you visas. They can go to hell."

The NSA acknowledged the disrespect shown but emphasized Nigeria's resilience: "Even though it's painful, it's disrespectful, but we are peaceful and strong and I agree with you that it is time to fix our country. Yet, this is another reason we work hard to make Nigeria work."

During the event, Ribadu also recognized Musa's "purposeful leadership" in combating insecurity and highlighted the ongoing collaboration among security agencies across Nigeria.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

MTN Nigeria has come out with its hands in the air, begging its customers for forgiveness after a massive 200% price hike on its popular 15GB digital bundle plan sparked nationwide outrage. The telecom giant, known for its catchy slogans and vibrant branding, took to its official Instagram page on Thursday to issue a heartfelt apology, dripping with pidgin English charm, in a bid to calm the storm.

The company’s statement, which quickly went viral, was a mix of remorse, humor, and a plea for love during the Valentine’s season. MTN didn’t just apologize; it spoke the language of the streets, connecting with its customers in a way that only pidgin English can.

“To our 15G digital bundle lovers,” the statement began, “You dey vex. We know. We know how e dey pain you to wake up see say your favorite bundle don jump from ₦2,000 to ₦6,000. Kai! Na wah o!”

The company didn’t shy away from admitting its mistake, using the kind of relatable language that made it clear they were speaking directly to the hearts of their customers. “We fit talk plenty tins, give you long grammar, but omo, all that one na story. We don cast. We get it and admit am. Let’s just say na mistake,” MTN confessed, adding a touch of humor to soften the blow.

But MTN didn’t stop there. The company cleverly tied its apology to the season of love, appealing to its customers’ softer side. “In this love season, abeg, no stay angry with us. Forgive and forget. You matter die, and we no go ever stop to show you how much. Make we continue this relationship. Thank you for your understanding. Yours Truly, MTN Nigeria.”

The apology, though well-received for its creativity, comes amid growing frustration from customers who felt blindsided by the sudden price increase. The 15GB weekly data plan, which previously cost ₦2,000, skyrocketed to ₦6,000 overnight, leaving many subscribers feeling betrayed. Social media erupted with calls for boycotts, and the controversy has reignited debates about telecom pricing regulations in Nigeria.

Despite the backlash, MTN’s pidgin English apology has managed to strike a chord with many Nigerians, who appreciated the company’s attempt to speak their language—literally and figuratively. Whether this will be enough to restore trust remains to be seen, but for now, MTN is hoping its customers will “forgive and forget” as they navigate this rocky patch in their relationship.

As one social media user put it, “MTN, you try with this apology, but abeg, no let this kind wahala happen again. Na beg we dey beg you o!”

President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, run by Elon Musk, has uncovered stunningly wasteful and offensive spending by the federal government, and has been trying to cut that off, even clawing back funding at times.

But a new statement from Musk, on social media, is pushing the outrage to a whole new level, pointing out that the government paid $9 million in a contract for "Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) Large Scale Social Deception (LSD)."

It is the Liberty Daily that promptly raised questions about the massive expenditure, and its reason:

"Many of the proposed Community Notes cite references to programs coordinated by Reuters that focus on fighting 'disinformation' and inappropriate social engineering. But just because they claim their motives are positive doesn't change the fact that they've participated in spreading disinformation in the name of 'stopping' disinformation. This has been demonstrated clearly by the push to promote ineffective and dangerous COVID jabs. Conspicuously, the contract was for 2018 (before COVID) through 2022 (peak injection time). Why did they have a program set up to fight COVID disinformation before COVID was known to exist? Why were they tasked with social engineering and 'large scale social deception' by DARPA? What will DOGE and the Trump administration do about this?"

Musk had referenced a posting from Mario Nawful, who said, "DOGE investigations reveal mysterious Defense Department payments to Reuters for 'large scale social deception' project between 2018-2022. While DARPA claims it was for cyber defense, questions swirl about why a news agency received millions for 'social engineering.' The revelation comes as other media outlets face scrutiny over federal funding. Source: USASpendingGov,"

The Reuters referenced is the parent company of the Reuters news agency.

The Daily Mail reported DOGE found the Department of Defense awarded Thomson Reuters Special Services the $9.15 million contract in September 2018.

"The contract was filed under the Pentagon's 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' and 'Research and Development' programs. And a pro-Trump incubator and investing consultant claims the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) says the contract to TRSS was for cyber defense," the report explained.

Trump, on social media, said, "Looks like Radical Left Reuters was paid $9,000,000 by the Department of Defense to study 'large scale social deception.' GIVE BACK THE MONEY, NOW!"

It noted, "On the government website that tracks and publishes contracts the federal agencies award to private companies, the $9 million contract for TRSS is listed on the purchase order as being for 'Active Social Engineering Defense (ASED) Large Scale Social Deception (LSD).'"

The reported noted on the contract was a statement that some funding provided in 2020 and beyond was related to COVID-19.

Government payments to other news organizations also have been identified, and criticized.

For example, Politico got $8 million in payments from the now-defunct U.S. Agency for International Development in return for access to premium services.

WND