- By Halimah Olamide
Escapee, Nadeem AnjarWalla of Binance left Nigeria using a smuggled passport.
This was the confirmation by the office of the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu on Monday.
NPO Reported earlier that Anjarwalla escaped from custody where he was being held in preparation for next court appearance over allegations of tax evasion in the country.
While confirming the escape in a statement by Zakari U. Mijinyawa, Head, Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser, he said the suspect escaped 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 the suspect .
“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.” The statement said
He added that part of the Offences the escapee is being investigated for include 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 4 April 2024.
“We urge the Nigerian public and the international community to provide whatever information they have that can assist law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect.” He said