Nigerian authorities are scrambling to recapture a Binance executive who vanished from custody last Friday. Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager, was being held on suspicion of financial crimes related to the cryptocurrency platform’s operations in Nigeria.
The news, confirmed by the country’s Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) yesterday, adds a new twist to the ongoing saga between the Nigerian government and Binance.
Anjarwalla, along with another Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, were detained in February this year as Nigerian authorities tightened their grip on cryptocurrency activities. The pair faced accusations of tax evasion and aiding customers in tax avoidance—charges Binance has vehemently contested.
Details surrounding Anjarwalla’s escape remain sketchy. Authorities believe he may have used a smuggled Kenyan passport to flee the country. Questions are swirling about how he obtained the passport and the level of access he had while in custody.
Nigeria’s NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, said immediate action is underway to apprehend Anjarwalla. This includes collaboration with relevant security agencies, Nigerian ministries, and even the international community to issue an international arrest warrant.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
