Combo of Nadeem Anjarwalla and the Binance logo | Image: Channelstv
.Court getting ready for approval
Presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, had ruled that it was proper to serve on Gambaryan, the charge against Binance, which is the first defendant in the case
By Valentine Amanze
The last may not have been heard about the Binance Holdings Limited top executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who fled from custody, while awaiting trial in Nigeria.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday April 19, 2024,, fixed May 17, 2024, to rule on an application by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), seeking to serve, by substituted means, the charge against Nadeem Anjarwalla, who excaped form the custody of the National Security Adviser (NSA), recently.
Counsel to FIRS, Moses Ideho, had hinted at moves to serve the charge of the fleeing defendant on Tigran Gambaryan, the defendant, who had been available since the matter arose.
Also read: Why Nigeria loses $4b yearly at ports, by FIRS
This comes days after the Presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, had ruled that it was proper to serve on Gambaryan, the charge against Binance, which is the first defendant in the case.
The judge had granted the application of the prosecution, stating that the defendant could represent the crypto-exchange company.
The counsel to the defendant, Chukwuka Ikwazuonu, disagreed. He said that it was inappropriate to serve a criminal charge of another defendant on his client, prompting the judge to adjourn the matter for ruling on the mode of service.
Last month, Anjarwalla escaped the custody of the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
He was a suspect in the Federal Government’s ongoing probe into Binance activities in Nigeria.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser confirms that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria, has escaped from lawful custody on Friday March 22, 2024,” the NSA Office said.
“Upon receiving the report, the Office of the NSA took immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies, MDAs, as well as the international community, to apprehend the suspect.
“Preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport,” it said.
“The personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his escape from lawful detention.”
Until his escape, Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan citizenship and serves as Binance’s Africa Regional Manager, was facing trial in Nigerian courts.
The suspect escaped while under a 14-day remand order by a court.
He was scheduled to appear before it again on April 4, 2024.
valoa2000@yahoo.com
