Binance executive escapes custody in Nigeria amid tax evasion allegations

Nadeem Anjarwalla, one of the Binance executives detained in Nigeria on charges of tax evasion and other offences, has reportedly escaped from custody.

The 38-year-old, who holds both British and Kenyan citizenship, managed to flee from a guest house in Abuja on Friday, March 22.

Anjarwalla, along with his colleague Tigran Gambaryan, was detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024. The Nigerian government had filed criminal charges against them, leading to their remand by a Magistrate Court in Abuja.

Despite being held in what was described as a “comfortable guest house” with various privileges, including access to telephones, Anjarwalla exploited these liberties to plot his escape.

Details emerged that guards on duty had escorted him to a nearby mosque for prayers, as part of Ramadan observance, when he absconded.

Reports indicate that Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a Middle East airliner, utilising a Kenyan passport instead of his British one, which remained in the custody of Nigerian authorities. Immigration officials are currently investigating how he acquired the Kenyan passport.

Topnaija reported that the Nigerian government had previously extended the executives’ remand due to Binance’s non-compliance with court orders to provide data on Nigerian traders using its platform. Additionally, new charges were filed against Binance Holdings Limited, Anjarwalla, and Gambaryan for alleged tax evasion offences.

The incident has raised questions about security protocols and highlighted the complexities surrounding international legal procedures in cases of this nature. Authorities are actively working to locate and apprehend Anjarwalla to ensure he faces the pending legal proceedings in Nigeria.