Reps begin comprehensive probe of Binance chief’s escape, heads may roll

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the circumstances leading to the escape of one of the arrested Binance executive’s, Nadeem Anjarwalla from the custody of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

In adopting a motion sponsored by Hon. Dominic Okafor, the House on Tuesday, asked its relevant committees to conduct an investigation into the escape saga, and expose those behind the unhealthy development, to ensure those found guilty of aiding the escape to be brought to book.

The Binance executive has been reportedly arrested by the Police in Kenya and is expected to be returned to Nigeria through the Interpol.

The lawmaker recalled that the Federal Republic of Nigeria arrested and detained Nadeem Anjarwalla, an executive of a crypto currency exchange Company, Binance on February 26, 2024 for alleged complicity of the Company in money laundering and terrorism financing.

He said he was concerned “that persons suspected to have committed such atrocious crimes against the State of Nigeria with already over-burdened Security challenges were kept in a guest house in Abuja instead of lawful custody of the Department of State Service or any Other approved custodial facility”.

According to him, the escape of the Binance executive from the office of the National Security Adviser using a “Smuggled Passport” is, to say the least, most disappointing, embarrassing and disturbing as it portrays the porosity of the security architecture of the Country to the world.

The House subsequently mandated its Committees on Financial Crimes, National Security and Intelligence and Interior to look into the matter, and report back to the House in two weeks.