Global cryptocurrency exchange platform Binance said on Monday that it is working with the Nigerian authorities to ascertain the whereabouts of its employee, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who reportedly escaped from custody in Nigeria.
According to the trading platform, their primary concern as an organisation is the well-being and safety of their employees.
“We were made aware that Nadeem is no longer in Nigerian custody. Our primary focus remains on the safety of our employees and we are working collaboratively with Nigerian authorities to quickly resolve this issue,” a Binance spokesperson said.
News About Nigeria reported that Anjarwalla, one of the two Binance executives detained in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion and other offences, escaped from lawful custody.
The 38-year-old escaped on March 23, 2024, from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan were detained after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque to observe the Ramadan fasting prayers.
Reports have it that Anjarwalla, who is also a Kenyan citizen, has flown out of Abuja using a Middle East airliner.
An investigation is currently ongoing to ascertain his whereabouts.
The two executives at Binance were detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024.
A criminal charge was therefore 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 while ordering Binance to provide the Nigerian government with the data/information of Nigerians trading on its platform.
Binance, however, refused to comply with the order, causing the court to extend its order for their remand for an additional 14 days to prevent them from tampering with evidence, adjourning the case until April 4, 2024.
Also, in a recent development today (Monday), the federal government of Nigeria also initiated criminal proceedings against Binance.
