Gambari says that he wanted to hear Ogunjobi to convince himself. On the phone, Gambari remembers, the EFCC officer started crying, repeatedly apologizing, thanking God that Gambari was released.
It was very high to process it for Gamberian. He listened quietly without accepting forgiveness. In the midst of Ogunjobi's outporing, he noticed that an American friend was calling, a secret service agent he worked in the past. Gamberian had not yet known this, but the agent took place in Rome for a conference in Rome, which took place for a conference with the old boss of Gambari, the head of the IRS-CI Cyber ​​Crime Division, Jarod Copman, both Wanted to bring beer and pizza to his hotel.
Gamberian told Ogunjobi that he had to go, and he finished the call.
On cold And on Capital Hill, Windy December Day, former federal agents and prosecutors, officials of the Department of State, and Congress associates mingled in a luxurious room in the Reburn House Office Building. One after the other, members of Congress come and shake hands with Tigan Gambari, who is wearing a dark blue suit and tie, his beard closed again and the head is clean, emergency on his spine, emergency on his spine Only a little lame from surgery in Georgia.
Gamberian is enough to thank each MLA, colleague, and state department official for a long time for his role in bringing him home for a photo and chat. When the French Hill states that it is good to see him again, Gambari said that he hopes that he has a better fragrance than during his meeting in Kuje.
The reception is one in a series of VIPs that Gambary has received on his return. At the airport in Georgia, the representative McCormic came to congratulate him, and gave him an American flag that flew over the capital building the previous day. White House released one statement Given that President Biden called the Nigerian President and “American citizen and former US Law Enforcement Officer Tigrahan Gambari underlined his appreciation for the leadership of President Tinubu in achieving release on humanitarian grounds.”
Thanks' statement, I later learned, the US government was part of the deal with Nigeria that included aid in his investigation of Benance – which is still running. Nigeria continues to prosecute both Benance and Anjarwal in absence. A spokesperson of Benance wrote in a statement that the company is “relief and grateful” that is a Gamberian house and expressed thanks to all those who worked to secure their release. The statement said, “We are eager to put this episode behind us and continue to work towards a bright future for Nigeria and the worldwide blockchain industry.” “We will continue to defend ourselves against spontaneous claims.” Nigerian government officials did not respond to repeated requests of Wired to comment on Gambari case.
After the reception, Gambari and I meet outside in a taxi, and I ask him what is next for him. He says that he could return to the government, if the new administration will have him – and if Yuki will withdraw another step for DC. (Crypto news site coindesk Informed last month He is recommended by the connection of President Trump by internal sources in the Cryptocurrency industry, which is senior to Crypto assets in SEC or senior in the FBI's cyber division as a high-level position.) He believes anything in this way, he says, “They say,” they say, “I probably need time to straighten my head.”
I ask him how he feels that experience in Nigeria has changed him. “I think it made me angry?” He reacts in a strange light tone, as if thinking about the question for the first time. “This wanted me to receive vengeance against those who did so.”
Gambari's revenge may be more than a fantasy. He is prosecuting a human rights against the Nigerian government which began during his custody, and is expected to have an inquiry among the Nigerian people, who argued that he was taken hostage for a better part of his life. . Many times, they say, they have also sent a message to individual authorities, which he justifies, tells them, “You will see me again,” that he brought a shame on the badge, “that she forgives What he had done to him, but not what he did to his family.
“Was it stupid for me to do so?” Perhaps, “He tells me in the cab.” I was on the floor with back pain and just got bored. “
As we get out of the car in our hotels in Arlington and Gambarin, a cigarette lights, I tell him that despite his description about myself before his own time in jail, he really last I feel calm and happy compared to years – that is – when I was covering his serial Tekdown of corrupt federal agents, Crypto Money Launders, and Child Abusors, he always chased me the goals of my investigation. In anger, operated, tireless.
Gamberian replied that, if he feels more comfortable now, it's only because he is happy at home – to see his family and his friends, to be able to walk again, not among the forces To be caught is not so big to tease itself a struggle. There was very little to do this with him. Did not die in jail.
To be inspired by anger in the past, Gambari disagree.
“I am not sure that there was anger. It was justice, “he says. “I wanted justice. And I still do. ,