In a surprising turn of events, Nadeem Anjarwalla, a regional manager for Africa at cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has reportedly escaped from Nigerian custody. Anjarwalla, along with another Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has been detained by Nigerian authorities since February 26, 2024, facing charges related to tax and value-added tax (VAT) compliance.
Details surrounding Anjarwalla's escape remain unclear. According to Premium Times, he fled the Abuja guest house where he was being held on Friday, March 22nd, after being escorted to a nearby mosque for prayers. Authorities are unsure how he managed to leave the country with his passport confiscated.
The escape comes amid ongoing tensions between Binance and the Nigerian government. The government accuses Binance of facilitating illegal activities and contributing to the decline of the Naira. Binance, on the other hand, maintains its commitment to working with authorities while denying any wrongdoing.
Both families of the detained executives have called for their release. Anjarwalla's wife, Elahe Anjarwalla, emphasized their desire for his return home, especially in light of their son's upcoming first birthday.
The Nigerian government, however, is demanding data on Binance's top users, which the company has yet to provide. This refusal has reportedly led to the extension of Gambaryan's detention.
The situation remains fluid, with Binance representatives focused on the safety of their employees and working towards a swift resolution. Further developments are expected in the coming days.
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