In a shocking turn of events, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance Executive, managed to escape from custody in Nigeria. Anjarwalla, who holds both British and Kenyan citizenship, was being detained in an Abuja guest house. The escape occurred last Friday when guards led him to a nearby mosque for prayers during the ongoing Ramadan fast. It is believed that Anjarwalla used a smuggled passport and has since left Abuja on a Middle East airliner.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed its concern over the incident. Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, condemned the escape, stating it as a clear indication of corruption compromising national security. He called for severe consequences for this breach of national security.
The incident has raised questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s security architecture. Are some individuals in positions of authority ready to compromise national security for pecuniary benefits? This escape has painted a graphic picture of a country where national security can be seamlessly compromised, even by foreigners suspected of deep-seated conflict with the law of Nigeria.
In addition to the escape, the Nigerian government has filed new tax evasion charges against Binance. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced that four new charges relating to tax evasion had been filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Binance faces charges of alleged non-payment of Value-Added Tax (VAT) and company income tax, failure to submit tax returns, and complicity in aiding customers to evade taxes through its platform.
Anjarwalla’s escape and the new charges against Binance have put the spotlight on the cryptocurrency exchange. The incident has not only raised questions about the security measures in place but also about the ethical practices of companies operating in the crypto space.
In the end, one can’t help but wonder: Is this escape a tale of corruption and compromise? Or is it a wake-up call for stricter regulations and transparency in the crypto industry? Only time will tell.
