The Federal Government claims it is in talks with the International Criminal Police Organisation to re-arrest Nadeem Anjarwalla, an executive of the cryptocurrency platform Binance, who fled jail.
It also stated that it had launched a manhunt for the Binance executive and had arrested security workers who had helped him flee.
Anjarwalla, 38, a suspect in an ongoing investigation into Binance’s operations in Nigeria, was arrested for tax evasion and other offences.
On Thursday, March 21, the Nigerian government convicted him on a four-count criminal complaint.
A day later, he escaped from the Abuja guest house, where he and a colleague were detained after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque for prayers in the spirit of the ongoing Ramadan fast.
“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,” read a statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser on Monday.
Addressing State House correspondents after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the FG has begun a manhunt for the fleeing executive.
He affirmed that Anjarwalla’s escape would not affect the payment of $10bn fines for money laundering.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on March 22, granted requests by Binance to pay the sum of $4.3bn in ‘Settlement For Anti-Money Laundering Sanctions, Violations’
“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,” said Idris.
Also speaking on the matter, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, said the escape does not mean Binance will get away with the $10bn fine for money laundering.
This is because the FG is dealing with the company, not individuals, Adedeji explained.
“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.