fbpx
Connect with us

News

Detained Binance Executive Escapes From Nigeria’s Custody During Ramadan Fast

One of the detained Binance Executive in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion and other offences…

Published

on

detained Binance Executive
Detained Binance Executive

One of the detained Binance Executive in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion and other offences, has escaped from custody.

One of the detained Binance Executive in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion and other offences, has escaped from custody.

VerseNews gathered that Mr Anjarwalla, 38, escaped on Friday, 22 March, 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.

The Briton, who also has Kenyan citizenship, is believed to have flown out of Abuja using a Middle East airliner.

Advertisement

An Immigration official said the Binance executive fled Nigeria on a Kenyan passport. He, however, said authorities were trying to determine how he obtained the passport, given that he had no other travel document (apart from the British passport) on him when he was taken into custody.

Another source said the two officials were held at a “comfortable guest house” and allowed many rights, including telephones, a privilege Anjarwalla is believed to have exploited to plot an escape.

Meanwhile, the Head of Strategic Communication at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari Mijinyawa, has yet to react to the development.

Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, and Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, were detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26 2024, to negotiate with the government the firm’s restrictions.

Advertisement

However, a criminal charge was filed against the two executives before a Magistrate Court in Abuja. 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 data/information on 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.

Also, on March 22, the Nigerian government approached the Federal High Court in Abuja. It slammed another four-count charge on Binance Holdings Limited, Mr Anjarwalla and Mr Gambaryan, accusing them of offering services to subscribers on their platform while failing to register with the Federal Inland Revenue Service to pay all relevant taxes administered by the Service and in so doing, committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 8 of the Value Added Tax Act of 1993 (as Amended).

The defendants were also accused of offering taxable services to subscribers on their trading platform while failing to issue invoices to those subscribers to determine and pay their value-added taxes and, in so doing, committed an offence contrary to and punishable under S.29 of the Value Added Tax Act of 1993 (as amended).

Advertisement

The two Binance executives were detained by the office of the National Security Adviser from February 2024.

Recall that trouble started for Binance when it was restricted from operating in the Nigerian cyberspace from February 21, 2024.

The development led to Binance discontinuing its services on Naira from March 8.

WhatsAppCOnnect

Stay ahead with VerseNews. Get the latest breaking news, insightful analysis, and trending stories. Your go-to source for timely updates and unbiased reporting.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WATCH: Nigeria Newspaper Headline Today

Apply For Latest Job Openings

Trending

'My Wife's Ring Can Buy 2 Or 3 Rolls Royce' - Davido Brags As Chioma Flaunts $1 Million Diamond Ring (Video) 'My Wife's Ring Can Buy 2 Or 3 Rolls Royce' - Davido Brags As Chioma Flaunts $1 Million Diamond Ring (Video)
Entertainment3 months ago

‘My Wife’s Ring Can Buy 2 Or 3 Rolls Royce’ – Davido Brags As Chioma Flaunts $1 Million Diamond Ring (Video)

Nigerian Afrobeat star Davido and his fiancée Chioma Rowland, who are set to wed on June 25th, made headlines as...

Labour Party Leadership Crisis Resolved As Abure and Apapa Factions Unite Labour Party Leadership Crisis Resolved As Abure and Apapa Factions Unite
Politics3 months ago

BREAKING: Labour Party Leadership Crisis Resolved As Abure and Apapa Factions Unite

The Labour Party's leadership crisis has ended as factions led by Julius Abure and Lamidi Apapa reconciled to present a...

EXCLUSIVE: Nigerians To Start Using Three-In-One National Identity Card Soon EXCLUSIVE: Nigerians To Start Using Three-In-One National Identity Card Soon
News3 months ago

EXCLUSIVE: Nigerians To Start Using Three-In-One National Identity Card Soon

NIMC is set to launch a versatile three-in-one identity card for Nigerians, featuring payment capabilities and social service functionalities, following...

HND Holders From Polytechnics Must Undergo One-Year Mandatory Training - FG HND Holders From Polytechnics Must Undergo One-Year Mandatory Training - FG
Education3 months ago

HND Holders From Polytechnics Must Undergo One-Year Mandatory Training – FG

Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service, has mandated HND holders to undergo a one-year training before promotion to...

EFCC Arrests Two Ex-Union Bank Employees For Stealing N4.2m From A Dead Customer's Account EFCC Arrests Two Ex-Union Bank Employees For Stealing N4.2m From A Dead Customer's Account
News3 months ago

EFCC Arrests Two Ex-Union Bank Employees For Stealing N4.2m From A Dead Customer’s Account

The EFCC arrested two former Union Bank employees in Makurdi for embezzling N4.2 million from a deceased customer's account.

Christ Embassy Church Headquarters in Lagos On Fire Christ Embassy Church Headquarters in Lagos On Fire
News3 months ago

BREAKING: Christ Embassy Church Headquarters in Lagos On Fire (Video)

The Christ Embassy Church headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos caught fire on Sunday morning.

BREAKING: Finidi George Resigns As Super Eagles Head Coach BREAKING: Finidi George Resigns As Super Eagles Head Coach
Sports4 months ago

BREAKING: Finidi George Resigns As Super Eagles Head Coach

Finidi George resigns as the head coach of the Super Eagles, following the NFF's plan to hire a foreign technical...

Tension As President Tinubu Falls, Hits Head On Parade Vehicle During Democracy Day Tension As President Tinubu Falls, Hits Head On Parade Vehicle During Democracy Day
News4 months ago

Tension As President Tinubu Falls, Hits Head On Parade Vehicle During Democracy Day (Video)

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu stumbled and fell during the June 12 Democracy Day parade, sparking renewed concerns about his health.

Democracy Day: FG Announces Date for Public Holiday Democracy Day: FG Announces Date for Public Holiday
News4 months ago

Democracy Day: FG Announces Date for Public Holiday

The Federal Government has announced June 12 as a public holiday to celebrate Democracy Day.

5 Best Video Interview Software You Should Be Using 5 Best Video Interview Software You Should Be Using
Career News4 months ago

5 Best Video Interview Software You Should Be Using

Zoom, HireVue, and Spark are some of the best video interview software. These tools enhance efficiency, improve candidate experience, and...

Advertisement