Binance Executive Escapes Custody, Flees Nigeria Amidst Legal Battle

Binance Executive Escapes Custody, Flees Nigeria Amidst Legal Battle

Nadeem Anjarwalla, a prominent Binance executive detained in Nigeria over allegations of tax evasion and other charges, has reportedly escaped custody…..READ ALSO Lagos-Based Crypto Enthusiast Urges Release Of Detained Binance Executives

According to PREMIUM TIMES, Anjarwalla, aged 38, managed to flee on Friday, March 22, from a guest house in Abuja where he and a colleague were being held.

The escape occurred when guards permitted him to attend nearby Ramadan prayers at a mosque.

Anjarwalla, a dual British-Kenyan citizen, is said to have departed Abuja via a Middle Eastern airline, despite Nigerian authorities holding his British passport.

Efforts are underway to determine Anjarwalla’s whereabouts and facilitate his return to custody.

An Immigration official revealed to PREMIUM TIMES that Anjarwalla escaped using a Kenyan passport, prompting investigations into the acquisition of the document as his British passport remained in official custody.

This incident raises questions about the oversight and privileges afforded to the detainees, including access to phones, which may have facilitated the escape plan.

The National Security Adviser’s office acknowledged the incident through Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communication, but has yet to provide further details.

Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, and Tigran Gambaryan were initially detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024, leading to legal actions against them and the cryptocurrency exchange.

Their detention was extended following Binance’s non-compliance with a court order demanding data on Nigerian traders to prevent evidence tampering.

Charges against Binance and the executives include failure to register for taxes, issue invoices for VAT, and aiding subscribers in evading taxes.

This incident occurs amidst a broader Nigerian government crackdown on financial crimes, with Binance allegedly involved in money laundering and terrorism financing.

The government alleges that over $21.6 billion was traded by anonymous Nigerian users on Binance, contributing to economic destabilization and Naira depreciation.

The situation adds to Binance’s legal troubles, following a guilty plea to money laundering charges in the US and a significant settlement with the Department of Justice.

Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao’s trial in the US has also been delayed, casting a shadow over the cryptocurrency giant’s global operations.