Binance executive fled Nigeria with smuggled passport – NSA

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has confirmed that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria has escaped from custody. Ribadu specifically explained that Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport, adding that security agencies were working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the […]

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has confirmed that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria has escaped from custody.

Ribadu specifically explained that Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport, adding that security agencies were working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect after escaping from lawful custody on Friday, March 22, 2024, from an 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.

Daily Trust reports that in February, two of Binance’s executives who arrived in Nigeria to negotiate with the authorities amid a crackdown on the crypto platform were detained.

FG files tax evasion charges against Binance

The federal government yesterday disclosed that it has commenced criminal proceedings against Binance.

The disclosure was made in a statement signed by Dare Adekanmbi, the Special Adviser on Media to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, stating that the charges against Binance were four counts of tax evasion.

Joining Binance in the lawsuit, with number FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, are Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, both senior executives of the exchange.

“Among the charges levelled against Binance are allegations of non-payment of Value Added Tax (VAT), Company Income Tax (CIT), failure to file tax returns and complicity in aiding customers to evade taxes through its platform,” the statement reads in part.

The federal government also alleged that Binance failed to register with FIRS for tax purposes and contravened existing tax regulations within the country.

“A particular concern highlighted in the charges is Binance’s alleged failure to collect and remit various categories of taxes to the federation as mandated by Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act 2007.

“It states that any company that transacts business in excess of N25 million annually is deemed by the Finance Act to be present in Nigeria.