Global cryptocurrency exchange Binance has confirmed that its executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, is no longer in custody in Nigeria. The company's spokesperson, Samantha Fuller, revealed this detail in an email to PUNCH Online on Monday. Binance expressed its ongoing concern for the safety and well-being of its employees and assured that it is actively working with Nigerian authorities to promptly resolve the situation.
Whilst Fuller did not provide specifics on how Anjarwalla was released from custody, it was reported by PUNCH Online that the British-Kenyan citizen fled on March 22 from the guest house in Abuja where he and his colleague were being held. Anjarwalla and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, were detained upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26. Gambaryan, an American citizen responsible for overseeing financial crime compliance at Binance, and Anjarwalla, who serves as Binance's Africa regional manager, were not charged with any crimes when they appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday.
The circumstances behind Anjarwalla's escape remain unclear, as he reportedly took advantage of the opportunity to visit a nearby mosque for prayers during Ramadan to evade authorities. It is puzzling how he managed to flee using a Kenyan passport as his British passport was confiscated upon entry. This has raised questions about how he acquired the Kenyan passport whilst in custody. Nigerian authorities are now urgently investigating Anjarwalla's whereabouts and the details of his escape, as well as his intended destination.
Last week, the families of Anjarwalla and Gambaryan announced that they would remain in detention for at least two more weeks. The detention comes amidst Nigeria's recent crackdown on several cryptocurrency trading platforms. On March 8, Binance announced the cessation of its naira-to-dollar exchange services in Nigeria after a dispute with Nigerian authorities, who accused the platform of manipulating the country's foreign exchange rate. The Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Yemi Cardoso, claimed that over $26bn in illicit funds had passed through the platform in the previous year.