Summary
TLDR: One of two Binance executives detained in Nigeria, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has escaped custody using his Kenyan passport; his current location is unknown. The executives were detained in February, with no criminal charges yet brought against them. Nigeria is investigating cryptocurrency exchanges and has demanded information on Binance’s top 100 users. The country’s Federal Inland Revenue Service has filed charges of tax evasion against the exchange and the executives.
Key Points
1. Binance’s regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, escaped custody in Nigeria after being detained along with the exchange’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan.
2. Anjarwalla, who holds dual British and Kenyan citizenship, used his Kenyan passport to board a flight to an unknown destination after surrendering his British passport to authorities.
3. Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has filed charges of tax evasion against Binance, Anjarwalla, and Gambaryan, including allegations of non-payment of VAT, Company Income Tax, and aiding customers in evading taxes.