Nadeem Anjarwalla, one of the two Binance executives detained in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion and other offenses, has reportedly escaped from lawful custody. According to sources familiar with the matter, the 38-year-old British-Kenyan citizen fled on March 22 from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were being held.
The circumstances surrounding Anjarwalla's escape remain shrouded in mystery, as he allegedly capitalized on a visit to a nearby mosque for prayers during the ongoing Ramadan fast to evade authorities. Despite his British passport being in Nigerian custody upon entry, Anjarwalla reportedly fled using a Kenyan passport, raising questions about how he obtained it while in custody.
Authorities are scrambling to ascertain Anjarwalla's whereabouts and the specifics of his escape, with investigations underway to determine his intended destination. This development adds a new layer of complexity to the legal saga involving Binance, as the Nigerian government pursues charges against the crypto exchange platform and its executives for alleged tax violations.
Anjarwalla's escape comes amid heightened scrutiny of Binance's operations in Nigeria, with accusations of money laundering and terrorism financing levied against the platform. The detention and subsequent escape of Binance officials underscore the ongoing regulatory challenges facing the cryptocurrency industry, both globally and within Nigeria.
