Nadeem Anjarwalla, one of the Binance executives held in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion and other charges, has reportedly fled custody, sources tell PREMIUM TIMES.
The escape happened on Friday, March 22, as guards allowed Anjarwalla to attend prayers at a nearby mosque during Ramadan fasting. He, along with a colleague, was staying at a guest house in Abuja.
The 38-year-old, who holds British and Kenyan citizenship, is said to have left Abuja via a Middle Eastern airline.
Authorities are puzzled about how Anjarwalla managed to board an international flight, given that his British passport, used to enter Nigeria, remained in Nigerian custody.
Reports suggest Anjarwalla may have used a Kenyan passport to flee, raising questions about how he acquired it while in custody.
The duo was detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024, facing charges related to financial crimes. Despite being granted certain privileges, including phone usage, Anjarwalla allegedly plotted his escape.
Efforts are underway to ascertain Anjarwalla’s intended destination and bring him back into custody.
The Nigerian government had previously charged Binance Holdings Limited, Anjarwalla, and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, with tax-related offences. Binance’s refusal to comply with court orders extended their remand, with the case adjourned to April 4, 2024.
The government accuses Binance of facilitating illicit activities, including money laundering and terrorism financing, totaling over $21.6 billion in concealed transactions by Nigerian users.
Anjarwalla’s escape adds a new twist to the ongoing saga, unfolding amidst Binance’s recent settlement of criminal money laundering charges in the United States.