Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, no longer in Nigerian custody – Binance

Binance, the global cryptocurrency exchange, has officially confirmed that its executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, is no longer under Nigerian custody.

Samantha Fuller, the spokesperson for Binance, disclosed on Monday. Binance expressed its ongoing priority of ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees and emphasized its active collaboration with Nigerian authorities to promptly resolve the situation.

“We have been informed that Nadeem is no longer in Nigerian custody. Our main focus continues to be the safety of our employees, and we are working closely with Nigerian authorities to resolve this matter expeditiously,” Fuller stated.

However, specific details regarding Anjarwalla's departure from Nigerian custody were not provided by the spokesperson.

The 38-year-old British-Kenyan citizen reportedly fled from the Abuja guest house on March 22, where he and his colleague were detained.

The detention of Anjarwalla and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, occurred upon their arrival in Nigeria on February 26, 2024. Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at Binance, and Anjarwalla, serving as Binance’s Africa regional manager, encountered detainment upon entry into Nigeria.

The circumstances surrounding Anjarwalla’s escape remain uncertain, with reports suggesting that he took advantage of a visit to a nearby mosque during Ramadan prayers to evade authorities. Anjarwalla reportedly used a Kenyan passport to flee, despite his British passport being held by Nigerian authorities upon entry, raising questions about the acquisition of the Kenyan passport while in custody.

Authorities are currently in the process of determining Anjarwalla’s location and the details of his escape, as investigations proceed regarding his intended destination.

Last week, the families of the executives were informed that they would remain in detention for at least an additional two weeks in Nigeria. Despite appearing in court on Wednesday, the executives were not charged with any crimes.

This detention follows Nigeria’s recent crackdown on various cryptocurrency trading platforms, with Binance discontinuing its naira-to-dollar exchange services in Nigeria due to disputes with Nigerian authorities over foreign exchange rate manipulation allegations. Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Yemi Cardoso stated that over $26 billion in illicit funds had flowed through the platform in the previous year.