One of the Binance executives detained in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has reportedly escaped from custody, sparking concerns and inquiries regarding the circumstances surrounding his departure.
In February, the Nigerian government detained two senior executives of Binance amidst efforts to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges and address concerns related to tax compliance.
The charges against Binance include allegations of non-payment of Value-Added Tax, Company Income Tax, failure to file tax returns, and complicity in aiding customers to evade taxes through its platform.
Anjarwalla’s reported escape occurred on Friday from an Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were being held. According to reports, Anjarwalla escaped after being escorted to a nearby mosque for prayers by guards on duty.
Despite holding British and Kenyan citizenship, Anjarwalla managed to depart from Abuja via a Middle East airline, raising questions about how he bypassed security measures despite Nigerian authorities holding his British passport.
Authorities are actively investigating Anjarwalla’s escape and attempting to ascertain his intended destination to facilitate his return to custody.
According to immigration officials, Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a Kenyan passport, prompting inquiries into how he acquired this travel document in addition to his British passport.
Reports suggest that Anjarwalla may have exploited certain privileges granted during detention, such as access to telephones, to plan his escape from custody.
When contacted, the Head of Strategic Communication at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa, did not confirm the incident but promised to provide further information upon inquiry, which is yet to be received at the time of filing this report.
