Detained Binance Executive Escapes From Custody, Flee Nigeria
A key Binance executive detained in Nigeria on allegations of tax evasion and other charges, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has reportedly escaped custody. According to PREMIUM TIMES, Anjarwalla, 38, managed to flee on Friday, March 22, from a guest house in Abuja where he and a colleague were being held. The escape occurred when guards allowed him to visit a nearby mosque for Ramadan prayers. The dual British-Kenyan citizen is believed to have left Abuja aboard a Middle Eastern airline, raising questions about his departure despite Nigerian authorities holding his British passport. Efforts are underway to determine Anjarwalla’s destination and facilitate his return to custody. An Immigration official revealed to PREMIUM TIMES that Anjarwalla escaped using a Kenyan passport, sparking inquiries into how he acquired the document given that his British passport was in official custody. This has led to speculation about the oversight and privileges granted to the detainees, including phone access, which may have facilitated the escape plan. The National Security Adviser’s office, through Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communication, acknowledged the incident but has yet to provide further details. Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, and Tigran Gambaryan were initially detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024, leading to a series of legal actions against them and the cryptocurrency exchange. Following Binance’s non-compliance with a court order demanding data on Nigerian traders, the duo’s detention was extended to prevent evidence tampering. Charges against Binance and the executives include failure to register for taxes and issue invoices for VAT, as well as aiding subscribers in evading taxes. This incident comes amidst a broader crackdown by the Nigerian government on financial crimes, including money laundering and terrorism financing, with Binance allegedly being used for such activities. The government claims that over $21.6 billion was traded by anonymous Nigerian users on Binance, contributing to economic destabilization and Naira depreciation. The saga adds to Binance’s legal woes, following a guilty plea to money laundering charges in the US and a significant settlement with the Department of Justice. Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao’s trial in the US has also been delayed, casting a shadow over the cryptocurrency giant’s operations globally.
How Two Police Officers Were Killed By Unknown Gunmen On Saturday In Imo
Unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, an armed group of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have killed two police officers along old Gariki Road, Okigwe Council Area of Imo State. This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, on Saturday in Owerri While giving an account of how the incident happened, the police said the gunmen threw dynamites at the officers while on security patrol. Two of the officers were killed and four others survived the attack after an exchange of gunfire with the attackers. “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma has condemned the attack and gruesome murder of personnel of Mopol 18, Owerri, by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network (ESN). “The officers were ambushed in the early hours of today, 23/03/2024 while on patrol duties along old Gariki Road Okigwe by the disgruntled elements who threw dynamite on the officer’s patrol vehicle and engaged them in a protracted gunfight. In the process, two officers paid the ultimate price while four others survived the attack. “On receipt of the ugly incident, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma alongside Commander Mopol 18 and 64, immediately led operatives of the Command’s Special Tactical Unit to the crime scene for on-the-spot assessment and tasked the operatives to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the attack. “More so, CP Aboki Danjuma has mandated the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge Okigwe, the DPO, and other Tactical units deployed in Okigwe to embark on visibility patrol, intelligence-led raids of criminal hideouts, and place watertight security to forestall any future occurrence,” Okoye said. The CP, therefore, urged the general public, especially the residents of Okigwe who may have any useful information to assist the Police in the investigation to kindly do so by reporting at the nearest police station or via 08034773600, 08103341610. He also appealed to the residents to go about their lawful business without any form of fear or intimidation and not panic at the sight of the massive deployment of security operatives in Okigwe. He urged them to support the Police and other security agencies in the onslaught against violent crimes in the State.
FG takes over the trial of alleged 4 terrorists who kidnapped and killed Imo monarch
The federal government has taken over the prosecution of four suspected terrorists who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community of Imo State, Eze Basil Njoku. The four defendants are Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe, Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke were earlier slammed a three count charge which has been increased to five in the amended charges. At the resumed proceeding at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, announced the taking over of the trial from the Inspector General of Police The AGF, through his counsel, David Kaswe, invoked section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and 105 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to assume trial of the terrorism charges. Consequently, he pleaded with the court to put off the arraignment until another date to enable him to study the case file. He said that the Inspector General of Police has already been directed to make the case file available to the Federal Ministry of Justice for approximate action by the AGF. Meantime, April 15 has been fixed for the re-arraignment of the defendants on the amended charge. Iheme, 52 years of Amagwu Amanze Obowo local government area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo local government area also of Imo State, were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022. The defendants were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4 million cash from his family. In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. They were also said to have armed themselves with guns and offensive weapons, attacked, kidnapped, and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022. The IGP also accused them of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies, which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act. Part of the charge read “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act. “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja with intent to mislead the police investigators in the case of kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you gave false information to the investigators that a drunk man informed you that Nwigwe Emeka Williams is responsible for the kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku Knowing or having reason to know that information you gave to police investigators is false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act 2004. “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.
Sheikh Gumi Reacts As FG Names His Ally, Tukur Mamu As Terrorism Sponsor
Popular Nigerian controversial Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has declared that the Department of State Services (DSS) has no right to declare his ally, Mallam Tukur Mamu, a terrorist financier. Recall that the Federal Government recently released a list of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, involved in terrorism financing. Among the individuals named on the document is a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu. It is worth noting that Mamu has been in the custody of the DSS since his arrest in Cairo, Egypt, in September 2022. The cleric is currently being tried by the Federal Government for allegedly aiding the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022. Mamu was apprehended at the time with his family members while en route to Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj. During a recent X Space organized by Daily Trust, Sheik Ahmad Gumi stressed the importance of not granting security agencies the power to categorize an individual as a terrorist financier, particularly when the matter is already being handled by the court. Despite facing charges related to terrorism financing in a Federal High Court in Abuja, Mamu firmly pleaded his innocence. Sheikh Gumi described the situation between Mamu and the security agency as a misunderstanding, refraining from further comments as the case is currently being handled by the court. “Mamu’s case is in court. Let’s wait to hear from the court. It’s wrong to resort to a media trial. Let’s wait for the court to state whether he is a financier or not. I think if he is acquitted, he has a strong case to make on libel. “Who declares someone a terrorist financer? Is it the court of law or a security agency? The security agency has no right to declare anyone a terrorist financier. The case is already in court, so why are they judging him on the pages of the newspaper? Once a case is in court, you allow the court to decide,” The Islamic scholar noted.
Full Names of 15 Terrorism Sponsors Released By FG
Following the directive of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Sanctions Committee on Monday, March 18, revealed the identities of 15 entities including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change firms that have been sanctioned over alleged terrorism financing. The nine individuals under sanctions are 1. Tukur Mamu 2. Yusuf Ghazali 3. Muhammad Sani 4. Abubakar Muhammad 5. Sallamudeen Hassan 6. Adamu Ishak 7. Hassana-Oyiza Isah 8. Abdulkareem Musa, 9. Umar Abdullahi The six BDCs and firms are 10. West and East Africa General Trading Company Limited 11. Settings Bureau De Change Limited 12. G. Side General Enterprises 13. Desert Exchange Ventures Limited 14. Eagle Square General Trading Company Limited 15. Alfa Exchange BDC.
Terrorists Abduct 87 Persons In Kaduna
Suspected terrorists have abducted about 87 people in a fresh attack on the Kajuru-Station community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The latest attack was confirmed by a member of the Kajuru-Station Youths, Harisu Dari, on Monday. Harisu, said the terrorists stormed the village around 10 pm, breaking into some shops and stealing food items and other valuables. He explained that no contact has been established yet with the 87 locals abducted on Sunday night. “As of the time I visited the community this morning, security operatives have not been drafted to help restore the confidence of the villagers. “The villagers are traumatized by the sad development. The government needs to re-strategise in tackling these terrorists,” he said. The attack came barely two days after 15 women and a man were abducted in the Dogon-Noma community of the same local government. Kajuru and Chikun LGs had in the past two weeks become the hotbed of kidnapping, causing tension in the state. Recall that the terrorists had in two weeks kidnapped over 172 villagers in the area. However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan is yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.
16 Soldiers Killed In Delta State
Some military personnel on a peace mission to Okuama community in Delta state have been killed. According to a press statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the troops were of 181 Amphibious Batallion. He said they were headed to Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State on a peace mission to the Okuama community, and they were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March 2024. His words: ”The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State. ”The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers. ”The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government. ”However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country. ”So far, a few arrests have been made, while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.”
Terrorists Launch Fresh Attack On Kaduna Community
Terrorists, on Saturday, launched a fresh attack on the Dogon-noma community in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The attack is coming barely three days after one person was killed, and eight women were kidnapped in the Banono Angwaku community of the same local government. A former chairman of the local government, Cafra Caino, confirmed the fresh attack to our correspondent on Saturday. According to him, the attackers invaded the village around 5.45am on Saturday in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately. Caino said, “We are yet to get the number of casualties because the locals ran for their lives at the time the assailants invaded the community. “The community had, some time in 2019, come under heavy attack where 74 people were killed and the community recently has been experiencing attacks.”
More Attacks Imminent Unless Nigerian Government Negotiates With Bandits – Sheikh Gumi
Kaduna based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has re-emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to dialogue with bandits in order to stop incessant attacks on innocent citizens. The cleric stated that there is no military solution to end the insecurity problems Nigeria is currently facing. Speaking during an interview session with AriseNews TV on Friday morning, the Islamic scholar insisted that persistent military attacks on the terrorists were responsible for their latest lack of sympathy on Nigerians they abducted. He admonished the Nigerian government should emulate how the United States’ government negotiated with the Taliban terrorists by also having a dialogue with the bandits to prevent the insurgence in the country. “This thing (banditry) is turning into something else. We are turning them into monsters, more monsters as what they are. They are ignorant, they don’t have direction, they don’t have leadership, they don’t have empathy now because of the way we treat them too, we don’t care when we burn them,” he said “When we burn their children and women, in fact this very recent incident is just a tip of an iceberg; what has been happening in the bush, until we change our tactics and allow people who know, these politicians, I am tired of them. “I was a military man myself, but I don’t think there is a military solution, in fact I think it is humiliating military to think that the military should take care of civilian insurgency, what we need is a very good detective work, very good policing, very good social programme. We should leave our military off these issues. Our military knows fire for fire and these people do not have the fire power, they hide behind the civilians and do whatever they do. So don’t let us humiliate and disgrace our military. This is not their job, this is the job of politicians. This is the job of the police, this is the job of intelligence. “In fact I believe no ransom should be paid, I believe that but engage, engage these people. Give them hope. But not only in these children’s cases, be holistic. I heard when one military man said it is turning into a war, I am so sad to see that they are now realising that it is turning into a war. It has been war since, it has been ethnic war, it’s been class war, it is not just more than criminality. We have to accept that. “If we can see Israel and Hamas exchanging prisoners, I don’t see why we can’t negotiate. If Americans can negotiate with the Taliban, I don’t see why we can’t. They (foreign governments) can’t impose on us their own ideas when behind the door, they also negotiate with these terrorists.”
FG Files Terrorism Charges Against Miyetti Allah President
The Nigerian government has taken action against Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, by filing terrorism charges against him. The charges alleged his involvement in establishing and arming an unauthorized ethnic militia group, deemed a threat to national security. Bodejo was apprehended on January 23 for purportedly organizing and arming a vigilante group from the Miyetti Allah office in Nasarawa State. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, filed a motion seeking Bodejo’s remand, which was granted for 15 days by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo. Despite the court’s directive to charge Bodejo within seven days of the remand expiration, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) failed to produce him before the court for arraignment. The prosecution explained the delay, stating that charges were filed on March 12, prompting the defense to request bail for their client. However, the prosecution vehemently opposed the bail plea, citing national security concerns. Justice Ekwo reserved ruling on the matter for March 22.