By Ishaya Ibrahim
The news that Nadeem Anjarwalla, one of the two Binance executives detained in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion has escaped custody, caused consternation on social media.
According to a Premium Times exclusive report, Anjarwalla, 38, escaped from custody on Friday, March 22, from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were detained after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque for prayers in the spirit of the ongoing Ramadan fast.
According to the report, Anjarwalla who also has Kenyan citizenship, is believed to have flown out of Abuja using a Middle East airliner.
The escape of the Binance executive is coming days after a criminal charge was filed against the two executives before a Magistrate Court in Abuja.
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Recall that on February 28, 2024, the court granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) an order to remand the duo for 14 days. The court also ordered Binance to provide the Nigerian government with the data/information of Nigerians trading on its platform.
Following Binance’s refusal to comply with the order, the court extended the remand of the officials for an additional 14 days to prevent them from tampering with evidence. The court then adjourned the case till April 4, 2024.
Nigerians have taken to social media to express shock over the escapee Binance executive.
@Oserume1 said: “The Nigerian Government released the Binance Executive as part of the bargain to get the information Nigeria Government needs from Binance. This APC Government is full of unintelligent lies and propaganda. Remember how Buhari’s Government released Boko Haram members from Kuje prison under disguise of a prison break? APC na scam!”
@the_Lawrenz said: “If they explain Nigeria to you and you understand, it means you didn’t understand at all.”
@Stazingar said: “Apparently, they were allowed to go to the Mosque on Friday in the spirit of Ramadan and they escaped from there.”
@aminsaad said: “Which “escape”? Either of the two happened:
1 He bought his way to freedom.
2. He was ‘released’ on negotiations. Either way, Nigerian officials ‘collected’…. We are known the World over that money buys anything but anything in Nigeria…”
@Irunnia_ said: “Don’t be surprised to find out that they were never arrested. They may have kept them in one hotel where they will be relaxing.”
