The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has officially confirmed the escape of Nadeem Anjarwalla, a top executive at Binance, from lawful custody, raising concerns over the efficacy of law enforcement in the country.
According to ONSA spokesperson Zakari Mijinyawa, this development occurred on Friday, March 22, 2024, stirring significant concern regarding the ongoing probe into Binance’s activities in Nigeria.
In a statement released by ONSA, it was disclosed that not only did Anjarwalla evade custody, but the personnel responsible for his detention have also been apprehended. The statement emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting that Anjarwalla’s escape took place from an Abuja Guest House, where he was being held in accordance with a court order mandating a 14-day remand period. This detention was related to allegations of tax evasion and other offenses linked to Binance’s operations.
Anjarwalla, who also holds Kenyan citizenship, managed to flee while being escorted by a guard to a nearby mosque to observe Ramadan fasting. Alongside his colleague Tigran Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at Binance, Anjarwalla had been detained since their arrival in Nigeria on February 26. Their scheduled court appearance on April 4 has been disrupted by this escape.
The ONSA has launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Anjarwalla’s escape. Immediate measures have been taken in collaboration with relevant security agencies, government departments, and the international community to locate and apprehend the fugitive. Preliminary findings suggest that Anjarwalla utilized a smuggled passport to flee Nigeria, despite possessing a British passport under Nigerian authorities’ custody.
This incident has raised serious questions about security protocols and oversight within the Nigerian judicial system, particularly concerning high-profile cases involving international entities like Binance. The ONSA has assured the public of its commitment to ensuring justice prevails in this matter, vowing to intensify efforts to bring Anjarwalla to face the legal consequences of his actions.
