ONSA confirms escape of Binance executive, notifies INTERPOL

 

Zakari Mijinyawa, the head of strategic communication at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has provided an update regarding the escape of Mr. Anjarwalla from Nigeria using a smuggled passport.

According to Mijinyawa’s statement, preliminary investigations have revealed that Mr. Anjarwalla fled using a smuggled passport. Furthermore, the personnel responsible for his custody have been apprehended, and a thorough investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding his escape from lawful detention.

Reports indicate that Mr. Anjarwalla escaped from the Abuja guest house where he was detained, on March 22. Allegedly, he managed to escape after guards on duty escorted him to a nearby mosque for prayers during the ongoing Ramadan fast. Despite holding a British passport, it remains unknown how he was able to board an international flight from Abuja via a Middle Eastern airliner.

In response to the situation, ONSA has taken immediate action in collaboration with relevant security agencies, government departments, and the international community to locate and apprehend the suspect. Efforts are also being made to secure an international arrest warrant through Interpol.

The Nigerian government has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing activities on the Binance currency exchange platform. Mr. Anjarwalla, who serves as Binance’s Africa regional manager and holds British and Kenyan nationalities, was undergoing trial in Nigerian courts until his escape. He was under a 14-day remand order by a Nigerian court and was due to appear before the court again on April 4, 2024.

The public and international community are urged to provide any information that could aid law enforcement agencies in apprehending the suspect