The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has confirmed the escape of the Binance regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla from custody.
A statement by Head of strategic communication at ONSA, Zakari Mijinyawa, on Monday, said “preliminary investigation shows that Mr Anjarwalla fled Nigeria using a smuggled passport.”
“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,” the statement said.
It could be recalled that Anjarwalla, 38, escaped on Friday, March 22, 2024, from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were detained after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque for prayers in the spirit of the ongoing Ramadan fast.
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Also, on Monday, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced that it has filed a four-count charge before a Federal High Court in Abuja bordering on tax evasion against Binance and its two executives, one of which is Anjarwalla.
ASHENEWS recalls that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA, had inaugurated a Technical Committee on Currency Stability and Forex Manipulation, which told an Abuja court that it “received an intelligence stating the nefarious activities (money laundering and terrorism financing) on Binance, a crypto currency exchange platform.
“That on receipt of the Intelligence, the team began investigation by conducting surveillance of the activities of the platform.
“That the team uncovered users who have been using the platform for price discovery, confirmation and market manipulation which has caused tremendous distortions in the market, resulting in the Naira losing its values against other currencies.
“That the damage the platform has caused was clearly explained to the operators of the platform and they were requested to delist the Naira and avail the ONSA on the activities of the Nigerians on their platform.
“That from the information afforded to the team by Binance shows that the total trading volume from Nigeria in 2023 alone stood at $21.6 billin.
“Attached and marked as Exhibit EFCC 1 is a copy of the document from Binance to the ONSA stating this fact amongst others.
“That the commission will ensure that investigation is conducted within such reasonable time.”
On March 18, a Federal High Court, Abuja, Binance Holdings Limited to provide the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with the comprehensive data or information of all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform.
