Binance Reacts To Escape Of Its Executive From Detention In Nigeria

The global cryptocurrency trading platform, Binance has claimed it is aware its executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, is no longer being held in custody in Nigeria.

The spokesperson for Binance, Samantha Fuller, revealed this in a statement issued on Monday, saying that the company will continue to protect the safety of its staff regardless of the situation.

“We were made aware that Nadeem is no longer in Nigerian custody. Our primary focus remains on the safety of our employees, and we are working collaboratively with Nigerian authorities to quickly resolve this issue,” Fuller said.

SaharaReproters had reported that Mr Anjarwalla, 38, escaped when security guards took him to a nearby mosque for prayers on Friday in Abuja.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Office of the Nigerian National Security Adviser later on Monday stated that after being briefed on what had occurred, it initiated immediate efforts to apprehend the suspect, collaborating with relevant security agencies, MDAs, and the international community.

It added that security services were working with Interpol to get an international arrest warrant for the suspect.

The statement continued: “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 serving 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 4 April 2024.

“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.”