By Ibrahim Lateef
A former aide to the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, has mocked President Bola Tinubu over the escape of one of the detained Binance executives.
Shaibu said Tinubu has ridiculed Nigeria by transforming the country’s detention centres into amateur magician training grounds.
Recall that Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, and Tigran Gambaryan, were initially detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024, on allegations of tax evasion and other charges.
Following Binance’s non-compliance with a court order demanding data on Nigerian traders, the duo’s detention was extended to prevent evidence tampering.
But Anjarwalla managed to flee on Friday, March 22, from a guest house in Abuja where he and his colleague were being held.
It was learnt that 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.
Reacting, Shaibu in a post on X, said Anjarwalla’s escape was another riveting episode of what he called “Nigeria’s Got Escapes”.
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.”
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