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.