Nadeem Anjarwalla, one of the Binance executives detained in Nigeria over accusations of tax evasion and other offenses, has allegedly made a daring escape from custody, throwing authorities into a frenzy of investigations.
The 38-year-old executive reportedly seized an opportunity during Ramadan prayers to flee from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were being held. Despite Nigerian authorities having his British passport, Anjarwalla is said to have left the country using a Kenyan passport, as reported by Premium Times.
The circumstances surrounding Anjarwalla’s escape have raised eyebrows, particularly regarding the use of a Kenyan passport. Officials are puzzled over how he obtained the passport, as he had only his British travel document in his possession at the time of his arrest.
An immigration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that efforts are underway to ascertain Anjarwalla’s intended destination and apprehend him for his alleged offenses. The official confirmed that Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using the Kenyan passport, complicating the extradition process.
Anjarwalla’s escape comes amidst a broader crackdown by Nigerian authorities on cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, as part of efforts to curb speculation on the Naira. The detention of Binance executives has further heightened tensions between the government and the cryptocurrency community in the country.
Authorities are now left scrambling to determine the next steps in the pursuit of Anjarwalla and to prevent similar incidents in the future. As investigations unfold, questions linger regarding the loopholes in the Nigerian immigration system that allowed Anjarwalla to flee using an alternative passport.
The escape of Nadeem Anjarwalla has not only intensified the ongoing saga surrounding Binance and cryptocurrency regulation in Nigeria but has also spotlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating financial crimes in the digital age.
