Binance Executive Escapes Detention in Nigeria Using Fake Passport Amid Tax Evasion Charges
In a dramatic turn of events, Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Regional Manager for Africa, managed to escape detention in Nigeria using a fake passport. This comes as Nigerian authorities have accused the popular crypto exchange of tax evasion, leading to criminal proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Anjarwalla, along with his colleague Tigran Gambaryan, was initially detained following a criminal complaint. The two executives were held in custody for 14 days after an Abuja magistrate court remanded them. However, Anjarwalla seized an opportunity to escape when security personnel allowed him to visit a nearby mosque to pray during the Ramadan fasting period.
Reports indicate that Anjarwalla left the country aboard a Middle East airline flight from Abuja using a fake Kenyan passport, while Nigerian authorities still hold his official British passport. The incident has raised concerns about the detention conditions, as the executives were reportedly staying at a comfortable guest home and were granted various privileges, including the use of cell phones.
In addition to the tax evasion charges, Nigerian authorities have demanded that Binance provide access to the data of its Nigerian users. As the situation continues to unfold, stakeholders are closely monitoring how Binance will navigate these legal challenges and the potential impact on its operations in Nigeria and globally.
The escape of Anjarwalla has sparked a debate on the security measures in place and the implications for the ongoing investigation into Binance’s tax practices. Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds.
