The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has issued a global appeal for assistance in locating Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Executive Manager of Binance for the African region, who fled from detention in Nigeria.
Anjarwalla, facing allegations including tax evasion and involvement in illicit financial transactions through the Binance platform, escaped while under a remand order by a Nigerian court.
The ONSA’s Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Zakari Mijinyawa, confirmed that Anjarwalla’s escape occurred on March 22, 2024, while he was being held at a guest house in Abuja. Despite being under custody, he managed to abscond during a visit to a nearby mosque for prayers during the ongoing Ramadan fast.
Anjarwalla, who holds dual British and Kenyan citizenship, had been detained alongside another Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024. Their detention sparked legal actions against them and the cryptocurrency exchange.
Reports suggest that Anjarwalla utilized a smuggled passport, possibly of Kenyan origin, to flee the country. This has raised questions regarding the security protocols in place and the role of immigration officials in allowing his escape.
In response to the incident, security agencies are collaborating with Interpol to issue an international arrest warrant for Anjarwalla. Additionally, investigations are underway to determine his intended destination and to apprehend him.
The escape has intensified scrutiny on Binance and the regulation of cryptocurrency platforms, highlighting the challenges governments face in combating financial crimes in the digital sphere.
Authorities have taken measures to hold accountable those responsible for Anjarwalla’s custody and have launched a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding his escape.
Nadeem Anjarwalla’s escape from custody in Nigeria has prompted an international manhunt, with security agencies and Interpol mobilizing efforts to locate and apprehend him. The incident underscores the complexities of regulating cryptocurrency exchanges and the imperative for robust enforcement measures to combat financial crimes.
