In a concerning development, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has officially confirmed the escape of Nadeem Anjarwalla, a key suspect in the ongoing investigation into Binance's operations in Nigeria.
Zakari Mijinyawa, the Head of Strategic Communication at the Office of the National Security Adviser, disclosed that Mr. Anjarwalla absconded from lawful custody on Friday, March 22. This confirmation follows earlier reports, exclusively covered by PREMIUM TIMES, detailing Mr. Anjarwalla's escape from detention.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the 38-year-old suspect managed to flee on March 23 from a guest house in Abuja, where he and a colleague were being held. Reportedly, guards on duty escorted him to a nearby mosque for prayers as part of Ramadan observance, providing him with an opportunity to escape.
Mijinyawa, in a statement released on Monday afternoon, corroborated PREMIUM TIMES' report and assured the public of immediate actions taken by the NSA's office in collaboration with relevant security agencies and international partners to recapture the fleeing suspect. He highlighted ongoing efforts, including cooperation with Interpol to secure an international arrest warrant for Mr. Anjarwalla.
“Preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport," the statement revealed.
Furthermore, Mijinyawa noted that the individuals responsible for the suspect's custody have been apprehended, with a comprehensive inquiry underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his escape.
The statement reiterated the Nigerian government's commitment to combating money laundering and terrorism financing activities associated with platforms like Binance. Mr. Anjarwalla, a British and Kenyan national serving as Binance's Africa regional manager, was under a 14-day remand order and due to appear in court on April 4 before his escape.
“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,” Mijinyawa urged.
Binance Responds
In response to inquiries, Binance acknowledged being informed of Mr. Anjarwalla's departure from Nigerian custody. However, the crypto exchange platform emphasized its primary concern for the safety of its employees and pledged cooperation with Nigerian authorities to swiftly resolve the situation.
Government Crackdown and Allegations
The Nigerian government's crackdown on suspected money launderers and terrorism financiers utilizing Binance intensified in recent months. Allegations included concealment of identities in transactions totaling over $21.6 billion, with accusations of facilitating money laundering, terrorist financing, and market manipulation.
Notably, Binance's legal woes extend beyond Nigeria, as the platform recently pleaded guilty and agreed to a substantial settlement in criminal money laundering charges brought by the US Department of Justice. Binance's founder and CEO, Changpeng Zhao, faced criminal proceedings and agreed to resign.
In the wake of these developments, the Nigerian government initiated criminal proceedings against Binance, alleging various tax-related offenses, including non-payment of Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax, among others.
The situation underscores the complexity surrounding cryptocurrency regulation and enforcement, as governments worldwide grapple with emerging challenges posed by digital assets.