Detained Binance Executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla Escapes From Custody In Nigeria

Nadeem Anjarwalla, one of the two Binance executives detained in Nigeria on allegations of tax evasion and other infractions, has reportedly absconded from lawful custody.

Sources familiar with the situation told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Anjarwalla, aged 38, made his escape on Friday, 22 March, from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were detained.

Guards on duty allegedly escorted him to a nearby mosque for prayers in observance of the ongoing Ramadan fast, after which he managed to flee.

The British national, who also holds Kenyan citizenship, is believed to have departed from Abuja via a Middle Eastern airline.

Despite Mr. Anjarwalla’s British passport being held by Nigerian authorities upon his entry into the country, it remains unclear how he was able to board an international flight.

Efforts are underway to ascertain his intended destination and facilitate his return to custody.

An Immigration official disclosed that the Binance executive departed Nigeria using a Kenyan passport.

This raised questions about how he obtained this travel document since he possessed no other form of identification, apart from his British passport, at the time of his arrest.

Another source suggested that Mr. Anjarwalla and his colleague were accommodated in a “comfortable guest house” during their detention, enjoying certain privileges such as access to telephones.

It is speculated that Mr. Anjarwalla may have exploited these privileges to orchestrate his escape.

Upon inquiry regarding the escape, Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communication at the Office of the National Security Adviser, stated that he would investigate the matter and provide feedback.

However, as of the filing of this report, no further communication has been received.

Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, along with Tigran Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, were apprehended upon their arrival in Nigeria on 26 February 2024.

Subsequently, criminal charges were filed against the duo before a Magistrate Court in Abuja.

The court granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an order to remand them for 14 days.

Following Binance’s refusal to comply with the court’s order to provide Nigerian government data of its platform users, the court extended their remand for an additional 14 days.

On 22 March, the Nigerian government filed a four-count charge against Binance Holdings Limited, Mr. Anjarwalla, and Mr. Gambaryan, accusing them of tax evasion and other offenses related to their platform’s operations.

These developments unfold amid the Nigerian government’s crackdown on suspected money launderers and terrorism financiers allegedly using the Binance platform for illicit activities, citing concerns of economic distortion and currency devaluation.

KanyiDaily recalls that Binance recently announced its decision to cease all services related to the Nigerian naira, following accusations of exploiting the currency and contributing to its depreciation.