'We'll protect all our employees' - What Binance said after executive escaped from detention

The global cryptocurrency trading platform, Binance has reacted to the escape of its executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla from the custody of the Office of the National Security.

Spokesperson for Binance, Samantha Fuller in a statement said the company will continue to protect the safety of staff irrespective of the situation.

Fuller said it is aware Anjarwalla is no more in the custody of Nigerian authorities after it was widely reported on Monday, March 25.

“We were made aware that Nadeem is no longer in Nigerian custody. Our primary focus remains on the safety of our employees, and we are working collaboratively with Nigerian authorities to quickly resolve this issue,” Fuller said.

38-year-old Anjarwalla escaped when security guards took him to a nearby mosque for his regular Friday prayers in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the individuals complicit in the act have been arrested by the Office of the Nigerian National Security Adviser.

The ONSA noted it has initiated immediate efforts to apprehend the suspect, collaborating with relevant security agencies, MDAs, and the international community.

It added that security services were working with Interpol to get an international arrest warrant for the suspect.

The statement continued: “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.

“Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria, like other governments around the world, has been investigating money laundering and terrorism financing transactions perpetrated on the Binance currency exchange platform.

“Until his escape, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities and serving as Binance’s Africa regional manager, was being tried by Nigerian courts. The suspect escaped while under a 14-day remand order by a court in Nigeria. He was scheduled to appear before the court again on 4 April 2024.

“We urge the Nigerian public and the international community to provide whatever information they have that can assist law enforcement agencies to apprehend the suspect.”