The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the International Criminal Police Organisation, has reportedly initiated the extradition process for Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance Africa Manager.
According to a government official, Nigeria’s Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is ‘partnering’ with INTERPOL, the FBI and the British and Kenyan governments to secure the arrest and extradition of Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa.
“Mr Anjarwalla’s extradition process has begun. The Federal Government is working as did with INTERPOL to extradite the fugitive to Nigeria. He’s a fugitive that escaped from lawful custody, and his other partner is still in custody and would be arraigned on Thursday alongside their company, Binance,” another source said.
🇳🇬REGULATION | Nigeria Contacts Interpol for an International Arrest Warrant Over Escaped Binance Regional Manager
"We were made aware that Nadeem is no longer in Nigerian custody. Our primary focus remains on the safety of our employees and we are working collaboratively with… pic.twitter.com/GhP7NxjVvc
— BitKE (@BitcoinKE) March 26, 2024
Anjarwalla fled from detention in a ‘safe house’ in Abuja on March 22 2024, reportedly after guards took him to a nearby mosque for Ramadan prayers. The executive, who holds dual British and Kenyan citizenship, had surrendered his British passport but is believed to have used his Kenyan passport to board a ‘Middle East airliner’ local reports say.
That very day, Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) lodged charges of tax evasion against both officials and the exchange they work for.
Anjarwalla, a dual British-Kenyan national, had been detained alongside his U.S colleague, Tigran Gambaryan in February 2024. No charges were initially brought against the two, who were detained for 14 days at the request of the EFCC under the terms of a court order; a mid-March 2024 hearing subsequently granted an extension.
On March 28 2024, the EFCC charged Binance Holdings Limited, Gambaryan, Anjarwalla with $35,400,000 money laundering. Gambaryan pled not guilty to money laundering charges on April 8 2024 and was set to be held in Kuje Correctional Centre until the determination of his bail application on April 18 2024 while the judge adjourned the case to May 2 2024 for the commencement of the trial.
Nigerian authorities have blamed Binance for the Naira’s rising exchange rate while also accusing it of benefitting from ‘illegal transactions.’
Speaking to BitKE, a Binance spokesperson said:
“We are deeply disappointed that Tigran Gambaryan, who has no decision-making power in the company, continues to be detained. Tigran has been dedicated to public service and fighting crime for most of his life. These charges against him are meritless.
It’s outrageous that he would be remanded in a prison such as Kuje Correctional Facility.
Tigran has been detained for almost two months, after traveling to Nigeria by invitation of the government. He should be freed while discussions continue between Binance and Nigerian government officials.” – Binance Spokesperson
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