By Suleiman Adamu, National Security Correspondent
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nadeem Anjarwalla, a suspect in the current criminal investigation into Binance’s operations in Nigeria, escaped from lawful custody on Friday, March 22, 2024, ostensibly due to national sabotage, according to confirmation from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
In response to this report, the Office of the National Security Adviser’s Head of Strategic Communication, Zakari U. Mijinyawa, said in a statement that the NSA’s office moved quickly to capture the suspect, working with MDAs and other relevant security agencies as well as the international community. “International arrest warrant for the suspect is being sought by security agencies in collaboration with Interpol.”
The NSA’s office also stated that the 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.
“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,” the statement added
“Until his escape, Nadeem 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 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,” the office of the NSA further stated.
