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Businessman Accuses Lagos Policemen Of Assault, Extortion Of $5,500 Bitcoin

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A businessman, Babatunde Williams, has accused some men of the Lagos State Police Command of extorting him of $5,500 worth of cryptocurrency (about N2m) around Lekki in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state.

Williams told PUNCH Metro that he was returning home after inspecting a property around Lekki on Friday, May 28, 2021, when four policemen accosted him and demanded his vehicle papers, adding that he was complying with their order when two of the policemen forced themselves into his car.

While they were in his car, the businessman stated that the policemen handcuffed and forced him into a private vehicle and allegedly beat him till he gave the password to his Bitcoin wallet.

Williams alleged that the policemen withdrew $5,500 from his wallet and transferred it to the wallet of their accomplice, adding that they dropped him off after completing the transaction and fled.

He stated, “Around 3.15 pm, I was coming out of the Lekki County Estate, where I went to supervise a project. I was in gridlock around the VGC when the policemen in a Toyota Sienna vehicle accosted me and ordered me to park.

“One of them in mufti asked to see my tinted glass permit and vehicle papers. I was still wondering who he was when he called an armed policeman in uniform. They were asking me to park and two of the four policemen entered my vehicle.

“They accused me of disobeying their orders. One of the cops asked me to make a U-turn and park by the North-West filling station. I was handcuffed on both hands and beaten inside my car. Later, they took me into the Sienna and drove me around without telling me where they were taking me to.

“They continued to beat me as they asked for the password of my phone. When I could no longer bear the pain, I had to unlock my phone. They saw my Bitcoin wallet and got someone, who provided them with a wallet, and transferred $5,500 (N2.2m) worth of Bitcoin.”

Williams, who lamented that he was robbed by the policemen, said the case was reported at the Maroko Police Division for investigation.

He stated, “They called the policeman with my car to bring it to a location around the 1004 Estate on Victoria Island. They switched off my phone so that I won’t be able to call for help. They parked their vehicle at a distance, where I couldn’t see their number plate, and asked me to pick my car keys on the bonnet and they drove away.

“I initially reported a case of robbery at the Maroko Police Station. I was asked to report the incident at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said he was not aware of the incident and would have to be briefed by the Divisional Police Officer, Maroko Police Station, before he could comment on it.

“The case is under the jurisdiction of the Maroko Police Station. I will find out from the DPO there and get back to you.”

However, he had yet to get back to our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.

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JUST IN: CBN Increases Banks Capital Base To N500bn, N200bn For National Commercial Banks

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The capital basis for commercial banks with international permission has been raised to N500 billion by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The policy change was confirmed by Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, CBN’s acting director of corporate communications. in a declaration.

She added that commercial banks with regional authorization are expected to reach a capital floor of N50 billion, while those with national authority must meet a ceiling of N200 billion.

Announced on Thursday, March 28, 2024, this comprehensive financial reform requires significant increases in banks’ minimum capital bases, which vary depending on the size of the bank.

The latest policy directive specifies that commercial banks with international authorization are now required to shore up their capital base to N500 billion.

In a bid to tighten the financial fabric, the CBN has not overlooked merchant banks, which are now subject to a N50 billion minimum capital requirement.

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Detained Binance Executive Gambaryan Drags EFCC, NSA To Court

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Tigran Gambaryan, the CEO of Binance who is currently in detention, has claimed that he has been violated in his fundamental human rights by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission and Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.

Gambaryan, in an originating motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 sought a declaration that his detention and seizure of his international travel passport, contravened Section 35 (1) and (4) of 1999 Constitution.

He urged the court to order the NSA and the EFCC to release him from their custody and return his international travel passport with immediate effect.

Gambaryan also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further detaining him in relation to any investigation into or demands from Binance.

He also urged the court to order the respondents to issue a public apology to him.

Gambaryan averred that he was in Nigeria alongside fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla to honour the invitation of the ONSA and EFCC to discuss issues relating to Binance in Nigeria.

Anjarwalla escaped from the guest house where he and Gambaryan were being held

He argued that he had not committed any offence during the meeting, and neither was he informed in writing of any offence he personally committed in Nigeria at any other time.

“The only reason for his detention is because the government is requesting information from Binance and making demands on the company,” he added.

The fleeing Anjarwalla also filed a similar suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24.

At the proceedings on Thursday, T.J. Krukrubo (SAN) appeared for the plaintiffs, while the respondents had no representation.

Krukrubo informed the court that the respondents were served two days ago.

Shortly after that, he announced to the court that he was withdrawing from the matter as counsel for the fleeing Anjarwalla.

He did not give reasons for his withdrawal.

The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, adjourned the matter till April 8.

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Federal Government To Arraign Binance Executives Over ‘Tax Evasion’ On April 4

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On April 4, the federal authorities will file charges against senior executives of the cryptocurrency company Binance, Tigran Gambaryan, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, for allegedly engaging in “tax evasion.”

Anjarwalla is Binance’s regional manager for Africa, while Gambaryan oversees the company’s compliance with financial crimes.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) charged Binance with a crime on March 25th for “tax evasion.”

The service claims that the action is intended to maintain national economic integrity and fiscal discipline.

The lawsuit, designated as suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, is said to “implicate Binance with a four-count tax evasion accusation”.

However, on Thursday, NAN reported the federal government will charge the three defendants before Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, at the federal high court (FHC) in Abuja on a four-count charge.

Despite not being a vacation judge, according to the report, the chief judge granted the fiat for the judge to oversee the case during vacation because it is a matter of critical national interest.

The lawsuit comes a month after Anjarwalla and Gambaryan were detained by the Nigerian authorities.

Anjarwalla and Gambaryan had flown into Nigeria but had their passports seized by ONSA.

On March 12, Anjarwalla was transferred to a local hospital after he fell ill while in detention in Nigeria.

However, on March 25, Anjarwalla escaped from custody and fled Nigeria with a smuggled passport.

Meanwhile, Gambaryan, on March 28, sued Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA) and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging violation of his fundamental rights.

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