Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Delegated Legislation, Mr. Dominic Okafor, has said there is no truth in the claim that he demanded for a bribe amounting to $140 million from Binance executives.
Speaking at a press conference held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, yesterday, he threatened to take legal action against those bandying his name on the issue.
The lawmaker had last Wednesday sponsored a motion to investigate the mysterious escape of an executive of a cryptocurrency exchange company, Binance, Nadeem Anjarwalla, in a security breach, which occurred while in a Guest House under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Okafor, who expressed grave displeasure over series of calls received after the resolution passed by the House, said: “I am here this afternoon to talk about the false information that has been going on in the social media since after the sponsorship of my motion on Wednesday, May 8; a motion of urgent national importance, where I talked about 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 and a lot of people were calling to commend me, I also started getting calls from my friends all over the world saying I collected bribe from this very company.
“I got worried and after that did a letter to 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 will take legal action against them. “That is why I am here to exonerate myself from such an accusation 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 they stand for; and someone wants to tarnish that image and integrity I have built over the years.
“I never knew anything about such transactions. The motion I moved has to do with 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.” Okafor said he has been discussing with his legal advisers on the next line of action to take.
“This thing happened yesterday. So, we are looking at all the circumstances; we are looking at the right legal action to take.
“For the online media man that accused me of collecting $140 million, I don’t think that is something we would sweep under the carpet. I am discussing with my legal team to know the right action to take,” he stressed.
