The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has confirmed the escape of Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa.
According to Zakari Mijinyawa, head of strategic communication at ONSA, “preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport”.
The statement reads:
“The personnel responsible for the custody of the suspect have been arrested, and a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his escape from lawful detention.”
Premium Times reported on Monday that the Binance executive escaped from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were detained on March 22.
Anjarwalla was said to have escaped after guards led him to a nearby mosque for prayers in honour of the current Ramadan fast.
He is thought to have flown out of Abuja on a Middle Eastern airline, but how he got on an international flight without his British passport is unknown.
In a statement, ONSA said, “upon receiving this report, this office took immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies, MDAs, as well as the international community, to apprehend the suspect”.
The statement added:
“Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect.” added.
“Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria, like other governments around the world, has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform.
“Until his escape, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities and serves as Binance’s Africa regional manager, was being tried by Nigerian courts.
“The suspect escaped while under a 14-day remand order by a court in Nigeria. He was scheduled to appear before the court again on 4 April 2024.
“We urge the Nigerian public and the international community to provide whatever information they have that can assist law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect.”
