The Federal Government, led by Bola Tinubu, has confirmed the escape of Nadeem Anjarwalla, the regional manager for Africa at Binance, from custody. Anjarwalla reportedly fled from the custody of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, with alleged assistance from government officials.
Zakari Mijinyawa, the Head of Strategic Communication in the ONSA, disclosed this development in a statement released on Monday. Mijinyawa stated that the personnel responsible for Anjarwalla’s custody have been apprehended, and a thorough investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his escape.
The statement reads: “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.”
According to the ONSA spokesman, preliminary findings suggest that Anjarwalla used a smuggled passport to flee Nigeria. Efforts are now underway to collaborate with Interpol in issuing an international arrest warrant for the suspect.
Anjarwalla and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, were initially detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024, facing allegations of tax evasion and other charges. Their detention was extended due to Binance’s non-compliance with a court order demanding data on Nigerian traders.
However, Anjarwalla managed to escape from a guest house in Abuja on Friday, March 22, where he and Gambaryan were being held. The escape reportedly occurred when guards permitted him to visit a nearby mosque for Ramadan prayers.
Despite Nigerian authorities holding his British passport, Anjarwalla is believed to have departed Abuja on a Middle Eastern airline, raising questions about the circumstances of his departure.
The escape of the foreign national has prompted speculation regarding the oversight and privileges granted to the detainees, including access to phones, which may have facilitated the escape plan.
The incident has sparked concerns about the security protocols surrounding the detention of high-profile individuals and the need for a thorough review to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
