The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has confirmed the escape of the Binance executive for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, amid the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of the firm in Nigeria.
The ONSA said he escaped from lawful custody on Friday, 22 March 2024, and fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport.
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Upon receiving this report, the office said it took immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies, MDAs, as well as the international community, to apprehend the suspect.
“Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect “, the Office said in a statement on Monday.
“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”, the statement added
The Federal Government of Nigeria has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform.
Until his escape, 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.
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The ONSA, urged the Nigerian public and the international community to provide whatever information they have that can assist law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect.
