FG Contacts INTERPOL, Soldiers Held Over Binance Chief Escape From Detention

The Federal Government has contacted the International Criminal Police Organisation and issued an arrest warrant for the apprehension of the escaped detained executives of a global crypto-currency firm, Binance, Nadeem Anjarwalla.

Anjarwalla escaped from detention on Friday.

According to a report from Punch, information from the Office of the National Security Adviser noted that Anjarwalla, a suspect in the probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria, used a Kenyan passport to escape, while his colleague was still in custody.

The escape of Anjarwalla was confirmed on Monday by the National Security Adviser in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Head of its Strategic Communication, Zakari Mijinyawa.

The statement noted that preliminary investigation showed that the escapee fled Nigeria using a smuggled international passport.

He noted that efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspect.

The statement read, “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, March 22, 2024.

“Upon receiving this report, this office took immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies, 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.”

Also, the personnel responsible for the custody of Anjarwalla had been arrested, the statement added.

It also stated that investigations were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding his escape.

“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.

“Until his escape, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities and served 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 April 4, 2024,” the statement added.