A Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, found himself embroiled in controversy after allegedly escaping custody in Nigeria, where he faced charges of tax evasion and other offenses.
According to reports from PREMIUM TIMES, the 38-year-old British national, who also holds Kenyan citizenship, made his escape on Friday, 22nd March, from a guest house in Abuja where he and a colleague were detained.
Mr. Anjarwalla purportedly fled with the assistance of guards who escorted him to a nearby mosque for Ramadan prayers, taking advantage of the ongoing fast.
Despite entering Nigeria with his British passport, Anjarwalla managed to depart the country via a Middle Eastern airline, raising questions about how he evaded authorities while in their custody.
Efforts are underway to ascertain his destination and apprehend him, with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding his escape.
Reports suggest that Anjarwalla utilized a Kenyan passport to flee, prompting further inquiry into how he obtained the document without other travel documentation while in custody.
Sources reveal that the detained executives were housed in a comfortable guest house and afforded certain privileges, including access to telephones, which Anjarwalla may have exploited to plan his escape.
Authorities have yet to provide a comprehensive response to inquiries regarding the incident, leaving many questions unanswered.
The saga began when Nadeem Anjarwalla and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, were detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on 26th February 2024, with criminal charges filed against them for alleged financial crimes.
Despite legal proceedings, the situation escalated when the Nigerian government filed additional charges against Binance Holdings Limited and the executives, accusing them of tax evasion and failure to comply with financial regulations.
Allegations include facilitating unregistered trading activities, concealing the identities of traders, and facilitating illicit financial activities, amounting to significant economic distortions and currency weakening.
This development follows Binance's recent settlement with the US Department of Justice, where the crypto exchange platform agreed to pay a substantial fine for money laundering charges.
The case underscores the complexities surrounding cryptocurrency regulation and the global implications of financial misconduct in the digital age.
Source: Premium Times