- He disclosed that the wanted Binance official escaped using a smuggled passport
- He added that officers charged with ensuring the suspect did not flee had been arrested
The Nigerian government says it has begun a global search for the re-arrest of the Executive Manager of Binance for the African region, Mr Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped from detention
Recall that reports emerged on Monday that the Binance official had escaped from the facility he was incarcerated in and fled the country.
However, the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, said a worldwide manhunt had begun for Anjarwalla who was standing trial in a Nigerian court for offences relating to money laundering and tax evasion.
ONSA called on the public and the international community to provide vital information that can help law enforcement agencies in apprehending him.
The development was contained in a statement issued by Head of Strategic Communication, ONSA, Mr Zakari Mijinyawa, on Monday.
He said: “The Federal Government, 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, and was scheduled to appear before the court again on April 4, 2024.
“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 escaped from lawful custody on Friday, March 22, 2024.
“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.
According to Mijinyawa, the federal government had reached out to the international police (Interpol) to help in arresting Anjarwalla.
He disclosed that the wanted Binance official escaped using a smuggled passport, adding that officers charged with ensuring the suspect did not flee had been arrested.
“Security agencies are working with Interpol for an international arrest warrant on Nadeem Anjarwalla
“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.”