Binance: Experts flay executive’s escape as FG files tax evasion charges
• Sack NSA, Immigration boss, says HURIWA • NSA activates re- arrest, contacts Interpol
THE sudden escape of Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, from custody of the National Security Adviser has been eliciting reactions, especially criticism of Nigeria’s security architecture.
Binance is a popular cryptocurrency exchange platform that allows users to buy, sell, and trade digital assets. The Office of the National Security Adviser ( ONSA) had kept sealed lips over the escape for several hours before coming up with a reaction, which some observers have described as ‘ shame of a nation’.
Anjarwalla, 38, reportedly escaped on Friday, March 22, 2024, from an Abuja guesthouse where he and a colleague were detained after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque for prayers in the spirit of the ongoing Ramadan fast.
The Briton, who also has Kenyan citizenship, is believed to have flown out of Abuja using a Middle East airliner.
It remains unclear how Anjarwalla got on an international flight, despite his British passport, with which he entered Nigeria, remaining in the custody of Nigerian authorities.
However, ONSA spokesman, Zakari Mijinyawa, revealed that the suspect fled, using a smuggled passport. Nigeria Immigration Service ( NIS), the government agency responsible for embarkation and disembarkation of passengers at the airport gateways, could share the blame for the escape, a source familiar with the matter said.
NIS spokesman, Kenneth Udo, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A former military officer and Managing Director of King David Security, David Akhimien, said the escape reflects the mood of the nation and the character of institutions that are meant to enforce law and order.
He said: “This incident smacks of a lack of thoroughness in detainee handling, which may be as a result of compromise, inducement, insufficient training or a dearth of patriotism. “Whatever happened, a thorough investigation should be instituted even while the search for the escapee is on. We must endeavour to rejig our security agencies at all levels, to restore the past glory of efficiency and effectiveness in their operations.”
Reacting also, the national coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria ( HURIWA), Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the incident was one of the clearest signs that there are persons in positions of authority in the security architecture who are ready to compromise national security at the altar of pecuniary benefits.
He said: “We call on the President to fire the National Security Adviser and the
Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration for allowing, either willfully or by dereliction, this high- profile breach of Nigeria’s national security.
“What has happened can be equated with actively aiding and abetting the sabotage of Nigeria’s economy. And for the NIS and the ONSA not to be able to provide concrete evidence that there was no compromise that allowed this fugitive to escape from lawful custody, then there must be very serious consequences.”
The group said: “HURIWA is of the perception that failing to provide adequate security and surveillance around this escaped fugitive is a matter of urgent national security importance. And the Nigerian state should look at these lapses from the point of view of possible compromise with corruption, which has totally tarnished the image of Nigeria and painted a graphic picture of a country where national security can, very seamlessly, be compromised, even by foreigners.”
HURIWA, therefore, “called on the government to make sure that this serious breach of national security is not allowed to slide or be consigned to the dustbin of impunity”.
Another expert, Christopher Oji, described NSA’S statement on the escape as laughable.
He said: “It is quite unfortunate that anything goes in Nigeria. How could a man being investigated, and in the custody of the government’s security agency escape from custody? It is laughable because nobody will be held accountable. If we must take this government seriously, someone and his or her accomplices should be held accountable, to serve as a deterrent to other criminals in government agencies that are causing embarrassment to the country through bribery.
Oji said the corruption in government agencies, especially security agencies, should be stopped. According to him, “all these would be checked if people are held accountable for their actions and inactions. How will the international community take us seriously? You can’t see this type of arranged escape, even in Ghana, because the people know that someone will be held responsible. “For once, let the Federal Government take action and deal decisively with those indicted for this kind of internal embarrassment and opprobrium. Who will respect Nigeria with this kind of idiotic behaviour of letting a man in the custody of a security agency escape? The NSA should do the needful by bringing the suspect back and punishing those who allowed him to escape.”
While confirming the escape, Mijinyawa had said: “Upon receiving this report, this office took immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies, ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the international community, to apprehend the suspect. Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect.