By Milcah Tanimu

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

Samantha Fuller, a spokesperson for Binance, conveyed this update to PUNCH Online via email on Monday, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees. Fuller emphasized that Binance is actively cooperating with Nigerian authorities to swiftly resolve the situation.

While confirming Anjarwalla’s release, Fuller refrained from providing specific details regarding the circumstances of his departure from Nigerian custody.

Anjarwalla’s departure from custody occurred on March 22, after he allegedly fled from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, were being detained.

The detention of Anjarwalla and Gambaryan took place 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 their arrival in Nigeria.

Anjarwalla’s escape from custody reportedly occurred during a visit to a nearby mosque for prayers during Ramadan, although specifics surrounding his departure remain unclear. Notably, he purportedly utilized a Kenyan passport to flee, despite his British passport being held by Nigerian authorities upon entry.

In response to inquiries about Anjarwalla’s release, Jessica Gois, a communications consultant at JNPR, the public relations agency representing Binance executives, expressed the need to seek feedback from her clients before providing further details.

Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities are actively investigating Anjarwalla’s escape and his current whereabouts, as well as probing the circumstances surrounding his departure.

The detention of Anjarwalla and Gambaryan occurred amid Nigeria’s recent crackdown on various cryptocurrency trading platforms. Binance’s decision to cease naira-to-dollar exchange services in Nigeria on March 8 further heightened tensions between the exchange and Nigerian authorities, who accused the platform of currency manipulation. Governor Yemi Cardoso of the Central Bank of Nigeria cited allegations of over $26 billion in illicit funds passing through the platform in the previous year.