Binance executive reportedly escapes detention as Nigeria files tax evasion charges

Nigerian authorities are investigating how the detained executives fled despite not holding any travel documents. Meanwhile, the government launches criminal proceedings against the exchange for tax evasion.

Update 09:00 a.m. UTC: This article has been updated to include details of the tax evasion charges against Binance.

A Binance executive detained in the tax evasion case by the Nigerian authorities has reportedly escaped detention using a fake passport, reported a local daily citing sources familiar with the matter.

The news comes as reports claim the Nigerian government has launched criminal proceedings against the exchange for tax evasion. According to local media reports, the charges were filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

The Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, and his colleagues were detained in an Abuja guest house. However, it was reported the executive reportedly fled detention on Friday after he was taken to a nearby mosque for Friday Ramadan prayers.

Anjarwalla reportedly flew out of Abuja on a Middle East airline. However, it is unclear how Anjarwalla got on an international flight despite his British passport, with which he entered Nigeria, remaining in the custody of the Nigerian authorities.

According to an Immigration official, the Binance executive fled Nigeria on a Kenyan passport; however, authorities were trying to determine how Anjarwalla came by the passport as he had no other travel document while in custody.

According to reports, the men were granted several privileges while under detention, including using cell phones, which were believed to have been exploited.

Anjarwalla, the regional manager for Binance in Africa, and Tigran Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen in charge of financial crime compliance at Binance, were taken into custody upon their arrival in Nigeria on Feb. 26.

The men were detained after a magistrate court in Abuja received a criminal complaint against the pair.

Related: Binance says it trained investigators in Nigeria under government cooperation

The court allowed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to remand the two individuals for 14 days. It further mandated that Binance give the Nigerian government access to data and details of Nigerian traders using its platform.

However, after Binance refused to comply with the court decision, the court extended the remand of the officials for an additional 14 days to prevent them from tampering with evidence.

The Nigerian government has taken strict measures against individuals and organizations involved with terrorist financing and money laundering linked to the Binance crypto exchange.

According to government reports, the Binance exchange was used by individuals to launder nearly $21 billion.

Cointelegraph has reached out to Binance but has yet to receive a response.