Binance exec accused of tax evasion flees Nigeria during mosque visit

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—by Protos Staff

A Binance executive detained in Nigeria and accused of tax evasion offenses has fled the country, according to local media.

Nadeem Anjarwalla was detained with fellow Binance exec Tigran Gambaryan late last month shortly after Nigeria banned several crypto exchanges from operating in the country. It was announced today that the pair, along with Binance itself, were officially accused of four tax offenses by Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service.

The charges filed in the Abuja Federal High Court last Friday claim the defendants failed to submit tax returns, were complicit in helping users evade taxes while using the Binance platform, and failed to pay value-added tax (VAT) and company income tax. 

“Binance did not adhere to these requirements, thus violating Nigerian laws and potentially facing investigation and legal action for this infraction,” a statement from the state tax agency said.

Binance execs detained in Nigeria still being questioned over illicit fund flows

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According to local media reports, Anjarwalla fled the country last Friday using a Nigerian passport. He apparently escaped the guest house in which the pair were staying after being led to a mosque to pray. 

Authorities are reportedly trying to determine the destination of his flight and where he supposedly acquired the Nigerian passport after his British passport was previously confiscated.

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