Binance executive escapes custody, ONSA confirms
Story from Abubakar KADO
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has verified the flight from lawful detainment of Nadeem Anjarwalla, a key figure in the ongoing investigation concerning Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange company.
Zakari Mijinyawa, the Head of Strategic Communication at ONSA, disclosed in a statement on Monday in Abuja that Anjarwalla absconded on Friday.
While acknowledging Anjarwalla’s escape, Mijinyawa assured that ONSA, in collaboration with pertinent security entities, ministries, departments, and agencies, along with the international community, is actively pursuing the suspect’s apprehension.
He elaborated that security agencies are coordinating with Interpol to secure an international arrest warrant for Anjarwalla, who reportedly departed Nigeria utilising a contraband passport.
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The spokesperson for ONSA noted that “the personnel responsible for overseeing the suspect’s custody have been detained as part of the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his evasion”.
Mijinyawa emphasized that the Nigerian government, akin to other global counterparts, has been scrutinizing money laundering and terrorism financing activities linked to the Binance cryptocurrency platform.
Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan citizenship, serves as Binance’s Africa regional manager and was subject to a 14-day remand order by a Nigerian court.
”He was scheduled to appear before the court again on April 4.
”We urge the Nigerian public and the international community to provide whatever information they have that can assist law enforcement agencies apprehend the suspect,” he added.
