The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has confirmed that a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria, Nadeem Anjarwalla escaped from lawful custody last Friday.
In a statement on Monday, the Head of Strategic Communication in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Zakari U. Mijinyawa said: “Upon receiving this report, this office took immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies , MDAs (Ministries, Departments and Agencies), 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 of Nigeria, and other governments around the world, have been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions allegedly perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform.
Mijinyawa further said: “Until his escape, Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities and serving 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 4th 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”.
