Manhunt for Binance Boss: FG Liaises with Interpol
*Arrests security personnel guiding him
The federal government of Nigeria has expanded its dragnet in the search for Binance Chief Executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped from its custody on Friday.
Information from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA,, Nuhu Ribadu, gave the indication on Tuesday.
According to the information, the FG on Monday officially reached out to the International Criminal Police Organisation, Interpol, over the fugitive Binance boss, followed with the issuance of an arrest warrant for his apprehension.
The information also indicated that Anjarwalla, who holds both British and Kenyan nationalities, escaped from Nigeria using a Kenyan passport and was ferried out of the country by an unnamed Middle East airliner.
In a statement issued on Monday, the NSA confirmed Anjarwalla's escape, pointing out that preliminary investigation indicated that his escape was facilitated with a smuggled international passport.
“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, 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 read in part.
Meanwhile, a number of security personnel responsible for Anjarwalla's escape have been arrested and are currently being investigated. This, according to the office of the NSA, is to unravel the circumstances surrounding his escape.
“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.
“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.
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