Phrank Shaibu, spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration following the escape of a detained Binance executive.
Shaibu alleges that Tinubu’s government has undermined the credibility of the country’s detention facilities, allowing detainees to escape with impunity.
The incident revolves around Nadeem Anjarwalla, one of the detained Binance executives, reportedly absconding from custody, casting doubts on the effectiveness of law enforcement in Nigeria. Anjarwalla, along with a colleague, was apprehended by the Federal Government in February on charges related to tax evasion. Their detention was prolonged after Binance failed to comply with a court order demanding data on Nigerian traders, to prevent tampering with evidence.
According to reports from Premium Times, Anjarwalla purportedly fled from the Abuja guest house where they were held, coinciding with a visit to a nearby mosque for prayers, while under the guard of duty personnel. Anjarwalla, a British national also holding Kenyan citizenship, allegedly departed Abuja via a Middle Eastern airline. The escape occurred when guards permitted him to attend Ramadan prayers at a nearby mosque.
The dual British-Kenyan citizen’s departure on a Middle Eastern airline has raised concerns about how he managed to leave despite Nigerian authorities holding his British passport. Speculation has emerged regarding the oversight and privileges granted to detainees, including access to phones, which might have facilitated the escape.
In response to the incident, Shaibu took to social media on Monday, characterizing Anjarwalla’s escape as another alarming episode of what he termed “Nigeria’s Got Escapes.” He remarked that security is unnecessary in a country where the government provides an “escape room experience” for detained executives.
He wrote, “Another riveting episode of ‘Nigeria’s Got Escapes,’ brought to you by the @officialABAT administration! Detained Binance executive pulls off a vanishing act right under their noses?
“Bravo, @officialABAT, for transforming our detention centres into amateur magician training grounds! Who needs security when you can provide a thrilling escape room experience for all detained executives?
“Stay tuned for the next episode: “Escape from Nigeria: The Sequel” or ‘Nigeria’s Got Talent: The Fugitive Edition.’”
