The Office of the National Security Adviser has called on the Nigerian public and the international community to provide information that can assist law enforcement agencies to apprehend the Executive Manager of Binance for the African region, Mr Nadeem Anjarwalla (a suspect) who escaped detention.
Mr. Zakari Mijinyawa, the Head - Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser, who made this known on Monday, said a manhunt has been launched for his arrest.
ONSA recalls "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 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 the 4th of April 2024.
Zakari said, "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, 22 March 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, Bianance official.
"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."
Reports said 38-year-old Nadeem Anjarwalla who is detained by Nigerian authorities on allegations of tax evasion and other charges, fled on Friday, from a guest house in Abuja where he and a colleague were being held when security personnel allowed him to visit a nearby mosque for Ramadan prayers.
Anjarwalla, Binance's Africa regional manager, and Tigran Gambaryan, another Binance executive were said to have been detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024, resulting in a series of legal actions against them and the cryptocurrency exchange.
