The office of the national security adviser (NSA) has confirmed that a senior executive at Binance Nadeem Anjarwalla has escaped from custody.
QEDNG earlier reported that Mr Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, escaped on March 22.
In a statement on Monday, head of strategic communication at the office of NSA Zakari Mijinyawa said security agencies were working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser confirms that Nadeem ANJARWALLA, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria has escaped from lawful custody on Friday, 22 March 2024,” the statement 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. Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on the suspect.
“Preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport.
“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 Federal Government has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions allegedly perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform.
Until his escape, Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities, was being tried.
He was in custody under a 14-day remand order by a court in Nigeria. He was scheduled to appear before the court again on April 4, 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,” the statement added.
