Revealed! How Detained Binance executive planned prison escape

The detained Binance Holdings Limited executive, Tigran Gambaryan, has attempted to escape from Kuje Correctional Facility accordign to a report by the PUNCH.

Investigations by their  correspondent revealed how Mr Gambaryan who is currently remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility, applied for a new United States of America passport, under the pretence that his seized passport was missing.

The Armenian-born Binance executive, Gambaryan who has both American and Armenian passports, told the US Embassy in Abuja that he lost his passport which is currently being held by the EFCC, impeccable anti-graft sources privy to the development but not authorised to speak, told The PUNCH on Wednesday.

Following the development, the EFCC has urged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to disregard Gambaryan’s bail application, while noting that the Armenian-American could flee from Nigeria like his Kenyan-British colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla who fled to Kenya.

A source, who is privy to the investigations, revealed that “The second Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, who is currently remanded in Kuje prison, has planned to escape from the facility. He applied to the US embassy in Abuja to issue him a new Visa while lying that he lost his passport which was seized by the EFCC.”

Another source, who insisted on anonymity, noted that “Gambaryan could have escaped from Kuje if not for the fact that the US embassy flagged his request for a new passport. Fortunately, the US embassy immediately reached out to the EFFC, and the embassy was informed that he’s a criminal suspect whose case is currently in court for alleged money laundering – concealing the source of the $35,400, 000 generated as revenue by Binance in Nigeria knowing that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activity.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC had on Tuesday, urged Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja to deny Gambaryan’s bail application.

The anti-graft agency said it was too risky to admit the foreigner to bail, noting the escape of his co-defendant, Nadeem Anjarwalla, from the custody of the National Security Adviser and his escape to Kenya.

Besides, the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho, told the court that the anti-graft agency uncovered an alleged plot by Gambaryan to obtain a new passport to facilitate his escape from Nigeria after the EFCC had seized his passport.

Gambaryan, his fleeing colleague, Anjarwalla, and Binance Holdings Limited are being prosecuted by the EFCC on money laundering charges.

The anti-graft agency accused them of concealing the source of the $35,400, 000 generated as revenue by Binance in Nigeria knowing that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activity.

Opposing Gambaryan’s bail application on Tuesday, the EFCC prosecutor said, “There was an attempt by this defendant to procure another travelling document even when he was aware that his passport was in the custody of the state. He pretended as if the said passport was stolen.”

Iheanacho told the court that within the same period that Anjarwalla fled the custody, Gambaryan also allegedly made moves to escape from custody and flee the country but was intercepted by the operatives of the commission.

“This court will be taking a grave risk to grant the defendant bail. This is also because he has no attachment to any community in Nigeria.
“The experience we have had with the man who escaped to Kenya while his United Kingdom passport is in Nigeria will certainly repeat itself if this defendant is granted bail.

“The 1st defendant (Binance) is operating virtually. The only thing we have to hold on to is this defendant. So, we pray My Lord to refuse bail to the defendant.”

Iheanacho said with the intelligence information at the EFCC’s disposal it was not safe to release the foreigner on bail.

Dana Airline: How Long Should We Pamper Death?
…Why FG should completely ban Dana Airline from flights operations
~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi

Every means of transportation poses its own risk and hazards, however, some pose graver risk, especially when the right steps are not taken in the right direction. The fear and the attendant disaster that comes with air crashes are graver than one could imagine. This is why all must be adequately put in place, to avoid unnecessary distrust.

It is no longer news that Dana Airlines experienced yet another flight mishap recently, when one of its aircrafts; with registration number 5N BKI skidded off the runway, at the Murtala Muhammed International airport in Lagos, on Tuesday 23rd of April, 2024, after reportedly returning from Abuja that fateful morning. To say that, the incident was a serious safety concern and threat; that requires swift response, is to say the least.

One must commend the Honourable Minister Of Aviation and Aerospace Development, for his promptness in grounding all Dana Air’s operations within the country. Such should be the alacrity of nations, who have zest and intelligence for the safety of her citizens.

Without much ado, Many Nigerians must have come to a point where they doubt the integrity and technological reliability of Dana Airlines. This is not farfetched from the lackadaisical attitude of the air operator, and certain antecedents that say no otherwise.

Let me take you just a little down the memory lane! Bethnews Media can still recall very vividly, how Dana Airlines wrecked a gruesome havoc on my neighbourhood some 13 years ago,when one of its aircrafts crashed, around Toyin/Balogun Iju-Road claiming the lives of One Hundred And Fifty-nine (159) persons and destroying several persons homes and means of livelihood.

On that fateful Sunday afternoon of June 3, 2012, at about 2:00pm. Publiser of BethNews Media, Oluwaseun Fabiyi had just returned from church, and because of the hot weather, I sat at the balcony after my meal, only to see an aircraft that swung across my rooftop, as if to perch on it. Gripped with fear, since we had never seen a plane flown so low in our area, we decided to follow up.

Myself and others understood that, all was not well the the aircraft that just past, especially seeing it with that very black fume, and preceded by a very scary screeching and deadly roar. Before we could say Jack Robinson, it happened, a Dana Airlines aircraft had just crashed! Everywhere around Toyin Balogun street, off Iju Ishaga road, was already in disarray. Everyone scampered for safety in the unfortunate community.

When an occurrence of this magnitude occurs, sometimes it is excusable to attribute it unforeseen hitch(es), however, such excuses are hardly tenable in airspace operations, since most of the flight activities are strictly monitored via utmost sophistication and near-perfect technical accuracy.

Few months after the Lagos state government had organised a mass burial for the victims of the unfortunate controversial Dana air mishap,the operator was suspended, and directed to show kind gestures to families and businesses affected.

Guess what! Dana Airlines is alleged to have refused, to show concerns, nor put any mechanism in place, to alleviate the sufferings of those who lost lives, properties and millions to the crash. Rather, they clamoured to resume operations.

Surprisingly but not strangely, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) heeded Dana Airlines’ plea,to resume operations. Nigerians must understand and also remember that, the Dana air crash of 3rd June, 2012 remains the deadliest; after that of 1973,where 193 died in Kano.

Imagine what would have happened again, if the last incident resulted in a crash aground or mid air. God forbids, like we always say in Nigeria’s parlance! However, the reality is that, God wouldn’t forbid, if we leave what God has given us abilities to avert back to God. It doesn’t work that way!

As a matter of urgency, Dana Airline needs to be completely ban from flights operations, since crashes and air mishaps are becoming regular and normal occurrence in their services to Nigerians. We can’t continue to handle the safety of the populace with laxity and levity.

As far as I and many Nigerians are concerned,if the authorities involved continue to play politics, Dana Airline would continue to underestimate Nigerians for long, and the outside world wouldn’t take us seriously.

Dana Airline’s Troubled History of Scandals and Safety Concerns

In the turbulent skies of Nigeria’s aviation industry, Dana Airline has become synonymous with controversy and scandal. From regulatory violations to financial mismanagement, the airline’s history is marred by a litany of transgressions that have raised serious questions about its commitment to safety and integrity.

One of the most alarming issues plaguing Dana Airline is the recurrent violation of flight crew duty regulations. Reports have surfaced indicating pilots flying over their allowed hours, raising concerns about fatigue and compromised safety standards. Such breaches not only endanger passengers but also erode trust in the airline’s operational integrity.

Financial misconduct further tarnishes Dana Airline’s reputation, with instances of fake telexes being sent to suppliers and staff to deceive them into making payments. In one egregious case, an engine was reclaimed by a lessor due to non-payment, only for Dana Airline to find the supplier bankrupt upon attempting to settle the freight costs. This pattern of defaulting on payments extends across all suppliers and includes the non-payment of staff salaries, painting a picture of financial instability and irresponsibility.

Safety is paramount in aviation, yet Dana Airline’s management has been accused of prioritizing profit over passenger welfare. Instances where the Managing Director overrules safety protocols set by management, coupled with weight and balance miscalculations due to cargo and excess baggage fraud, underscore a disturbing trend of negligence.

Moreover, the airline’s questionable practices extend to its maintenance operations, where falsified records and quick fixes by Indonesian personnel have compromised safety standards. The turnover of directors in the maintenance department reflects the dire financial constraints preventing proper maintenance procedures.

The lack of proper financial management and qualified personnel exacerbates Dana Airline’s woes, with the Chief Financial Officer’s association with Dana Group, under scrutiny for financial fraud, raising further red flags. Suppliers coerced into lying about amounts due during audits and the circumvention of regulatory payments only add to the company’s litany of transgressions.

Despite previous groundings and regulatory scrutiny, Dana Airline has persistently managed to evade accountability, with reports of political influence being used to circumvent regulatory actions. However, a thorough financial audit, if conducted, would likely reveal the airline’s precarious financial position, potentially rendering it unfit to operate.

In conclusion, Dana Airline’s track record of scandals and safety breaches raises serious doubts about its commitment to passenger safety and regulatory compliance. Unless substantive changes are made to address the underlying issues plaguing the airline, its continued operation poses a significant risk to the flying public.