Nigeria has enlisted the support of Interpol in its efforts to apprehend Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Executive Manager of Binance for the African region, who escaped from detention on Friday, March 22. Anjarwalla, detained by Nigerian authorities on allegations of tax evasion and other charges, reportedly fled from a guest house in Abuja where he and a colleague were being held. His escape occurred when security personnel allowed him to visit a nearby mosque for prayers.
Anjarwalla’s arrest and subsequent escape are part of a broader legal saga involving him and another Binance official, Tigran Gambaryan, following their arrival in Nigeria on February 26. The situation has prompted a series of legal actions against them and the cryptocurrency exchange platform. In response to Anjarwalla’s escape, a statement issued on Monday by the Head of Strategic Communication in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Zakari Mijinyawa, urges the public and the international community to provide any information that could assist law enforcement agencies in locating and apprehending the fugitive.
The escape of Nadeem Anjarwalla has raised concerns about the effectiveness of security measures and highlights the challenges faced by Nigerian authorities in dealing with cases of this nature. The collaboration with Interpol underscores the seriousness with which Nigeria is approaching the matter, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in apprehending fugitives and combating transnational crime.
As efforts to locate Nadeem Anjarwalla continue, Nigerian authorities remain committed to ensuring that justice is served and that individuals accused of criminal activities are held accountable for their actions. The public’s cooperation and support are crucial in assisting law enforcement agencies in their pursuit of the fugitive and in upholding the rule of law.
“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,” Mijinyawa said.
“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.”
“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,” Mijinyawa said.