FG Contacts INTERPOL, Begins Manhunt For Fleeing Binance Executive

Nadeem Anjarwalla

THE Federal Government is currently in negotiations with INTERPOL, the International Criminal Police Organization, to re-arrest Nadeem Anjarwalla, the CEO of Binance who fled from custody in Nigeria.

It added that it has detained security guards who were watching the Binance executive flee and launched a manhunt for him.

A suspect in the continuing investigation into Binance's operations in Nigeria, 38-year-old Anjarwalla had been arrested for offenses including tax evasion.

He was found guilty by the federal authorities on Thursday, March 21, of four criminal counts.

But Anjarwalla managed to flee the Abuja guest home on Friday, March 22, when he and a companion were arrested after on-duty security escorted him to a nearby

However, on Friday, March 22, Anjarwalla made his way out of the Abuja guest home, where he was being held with a colleague, after the on-duty guards had directed him to a nearby mosque for prayers in observance of the continuing Ramadan fast.

An Office of the National Security Adviser statement on Monday, March 25 said, “The Office of the National Security Adviser confirms that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria, has escaped from lawful custody on Friday, March 22, 2024.”

“Yes, the man has escaped from our custody, and there is now a manhunt on him. Those who were charged with his custody have been arrested and will be brought to book,” Idris said.

The Federal Government has launched a manhunt for the evading executive, according to Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris. He also confirmed that Anjarwalla's escape will not impact the payment of $10 billion in fines for money laundering.

Recall that on March 22, the Federal High Court in Abuja approved Binance's requests to pay $4.3 billion as part of a “Settlement For Anti-Money Laundering Sanctions, Violations.”

Speaking on the subject, Zacch Adedeji, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), stated that Binance will not avoid paying the $10 billion fine for money laundering notwithstanding the escape.

Adedeji claims that the Federal Government is interacting with the business.

“We are dealing with the company and not individuals, and we can enforce compliance with our laws.

“So, whether he escapes or not, that will not in any way affect our plans to enforce compliance as we can ensure that the organization complies with our legal requirements as a country,” he stated.