The Nigerian Government has issued an arrest warrant for the apprehension of one of the detained executives of a global crypto-currency firm, Binance, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped from lawful custody on Friday.
According to local media reports on Tuesday, the Nigerian Government had also on Monday contacted the International Criminal Police Organisation on the escape of Nadeem Anjarwalla from lawful custody in Nigeria.
The reports also said that Anjarwalla, a suspect in the probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria, used a Kenyan passport to escape, while his colleague was still in custody.
The reports quoted the statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser as saying that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria, has escaped from lawful custody on Friday, March 22, 2024.
“Upon receiving this report, this office took immediate steps, in conjunction with relevant security agencies, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, 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 statement said.
Mijinyawa disclosed that the personnel responsible for the custody of Anjarwalla had been arrested and that investigations were ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding his escape.
“Recall 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 served 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 April 4, 2024,” the statement added.
GIK/APA
Nigeria issues arrest warrant for Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla
