Binance Executive Escapes Nigerian Custody as Authorities File New Tax Charges

One of the two Binance executives detained in Nigeria has escaped custody, coinciding with the Nigerian government’s filing of new tax evasion charges against the global cryptocurrency exchange.

Reports from multiple local media outlets indicate that Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced on Monday the submission of four new charges related to tax evasion at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Binance is accused 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, according to reports.

In addition to the company, two senior executives, U.S. citizen Tigran Gambaryan and British-Kenyan Nadeem Anjarwalla, were both charged and remanded in custody by Nigerian authorities.

Reports emerged over the weekend that Anjarwalla escaped on Friday from the Abuja guest house where the pair was detained.

“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.

The families of the two employees declined to comment at this time, but issued statements on March 20, following a hearing at which Nigerian authorities extended their detainment.