A Nigerian court has dismissed the
fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Nadeem Anjarwalla, an executive of
Binance Holdings Ltd, the local media publication Vanguard reported. This turn
of events occurred following Anjarwalla’s escape from lawful custody to Kenya.
This case, which involved claims against the National
Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
highlights the complexities and challenges in high-profile legal battles.
Tax Evasion and Money Laundering Charges
Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager,
alongside his colleague Tigran Gambaryan, had filed suits seeking their release
from detention by the NSA and EFCC. The duo had earlier been arrested in
Nigeria to face charges of tax evasion and money laundering.
These suits were brought before Justice Inyang Ekwo in
the Federal High Court of Abuja. The case gained significant attention due to
the involvement of Binance, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange.
On March 28, during a court session, Tonye Krukrubo,
SAN, representing Anjarwalla, requested permission to withdraw his appearance.
Justice Ekwo granted this request, adjourning the matter for further mention.
However, on the scheduled date, no legal representative appeared on behalf of
Anjarwalla, leading to the case’s dismissal.
Justice Ekwo emphasized the lack of diligent
prosecution as the primary reason for dismissing the suit. He noted the absence
of legal representation for Anjarwalla, which undermined the progress of the
case.
Developments in Court
The situation took a dramatic turn when Anjarwalla
escaped from lawful custody on March 22, fleeing to Kenya. This escape not only
complicated the legal proceedings but also brought additional scrutiny to the
actions of the NSA and EFCC. Given the unresolved status of his detention and subsequent flight, Anjarwalla’s escape likely influenced the court’s decision.
This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.
