Headline

FG Contacts INTERPOL, Begins Manhunt For Fleeing Binance Executive

Published

2 years ago

March 25, 2024

The Federal Government says it is in talks with the International Criminal Police Organisation for the re-arrest of an executive of the cryptocurrency platform, Binance, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped from custody.

It also said it had begun a manhunt for the Binance executive and had arrested security personnel under whose watch he escaped.

Anjarwalla, 38, a suspect in an ongoing probe into Binance’s activities in Nigeria, had been detained for tax evasion and other offences.

On Thursday, March 21, the Nigerian government convicted him of a four-count criminal charge.

A day later, he escaped from the Abuja guest house, where he and a colleague were detained after guards on duty led him to a nearby mosque for prayers in the spirit of the ongoing Ramadan fast.

“The Office of the National Security Adviser confirms that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a suspect in the ongoing criminal probe into the activities of Binance in Nigeria, has escaped from lawful custody on Friday, March 22, 2024,” read a statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser on Monday.

Addressing State House correspondents after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the FG has begun a manhunt for the fleeing executive.

He affirmed that Anjarwalla’s escape would not affect the payment of $10bn fines for money laundering.

The PUNCH reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja, on March 22, granted requests by Binance to pay the sum of $4.3bn in ‘Settlement For Anti-Money Laundering Sanctions, Violations’

“Yes, the man has escaped from our custody, and there is now a manhunt on him. Those who were charged with his custody have been arrested and will be brought to book,” said Idris.

Also speaking on the matter, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, said the escape does not mean Binance will get away with the $10bn fine for money laundering.

This is because the FG is dealing with the company, not individuals, Adedeji explained.

“We are dealing with the company and not individuals, and we can enforce compliance with our laws.

“So, whether he escapes or not, that will not in any way affect our plans to enforce compliance as we can ensure that the organization complies with our legal requirements as a country,” he stated.

Headline

Indian Court Denies Bail To Nigerian Man Over Drug Charges

Published

28 seconds ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

A court in India has denied bail to a 44-year-old Nigerian national, Cristian Soporuchukwu, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in the country.

Cristian Soporuchukwu initially entered India on a business visa but was later arrested over allegations of involvement in the sale of hard drugs.

Reports indicated that after arriving in India, Soporuchukwu travelled through Goa, Delhi, and Mumbai, where he allegedly established links with suspected drug traffickers.

He was accused of purchasing MDMA crystals and distributing them to college students and information technology workers.

According to reports, operatives of the Beguru Police arrested Cristian Soporuchukwu in April 2025 for allegedly selling MDMA crystals around Begur Lake and the AECS Layout Road area.

The New Indian Express reported that the High Court of Karnataka subsequently dismissed the Nigerian’s bail application.

“The anti-narcotics wing seized about 1 kg of MDMA crystals, a pocket weighing machine, 10 zip-lock covers, a mobile phone and a scooter from him,” the report stated.

Justice V. Srishananda, while ruling on the bail application, reportedly held that errors relating to the grounds of arrest could not automatically justify bail in serious narcotics-related offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, NDPS, Act.

The court further noted that Cristian Soporuchukwu had allegedly overstayed his visa in India, according to the report.

Headline

Strait Of Hormuz: US Announces Sanctions Against Iran

Published

30 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States Treasury has announced sanctions against Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement extended the threat of sanctions to anyone paying the fees, saying they may be providing support to and receiving services from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and therefore may be exposed to sanctions risk.

“The Iranian military’s latest attempt to extort global maritime trade is proof that Economic Fury has left the regime desperate for cash.

“Treasury has deprived the Iranian regime of revenue for their weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions,” Bessent said.

Bessent added that the US has succeeded in disrupting tens of billions of dollars’ worth of revenue from being accessible to Tehran.

Headline

US Launches New Airstrikes On Iran

Published

33 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The United States has launched new airstrikes in southern Iran.

The strike shot down four one-way attack drones that posed a threat around the Strait of Hormuz and then a ground control site.

A US official revealed that American forces struck an Iranian ground control station in Bandar Abbas that was about to launch a fifth drone.

The official described the strikes as purely defensive, saying the US intended to maintain the ceasefire.

Report says this is the second time in three days that the US has carried out self-defense strikes against Iranian military targets in southern Iran.

Recall that on Monday the US carried out airstrikes against Iranian missile locations and boats that US Central Command said were preparing to launch mines in the Strait of Hormuz.