The Federal Government has identified the whereabouts of Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance executive who had fled custody in Nigeria, tracing him to Kenya.
As a result, a concerted effort involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the International Criminal Police (INTERPOL), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Kenyan Police Service is underway to expedite Anjarwalla’s extradition back to Nigeria.
Sources within the Presidency have confirmed this development, indicating that Anjarwalla went into hiding upon arriving in Kenya, but authorities are actively collaborating with Kenyan counterparts to facilitate his return to Nigeria to face charges.
Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, revealed in a recent bulletin that collaborative efforts with INTERPOL, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and governments of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Kenya are ongoing to secure Anjarwalla’s extradition.
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Olukoyede highlighted the seriousness of the charges against Binance Holdings Limited and its executives, including Anjarwalla, related to tax evasion, currency speculation, and money laundering amounting to $35.4 million.
In addition to efforts for extradition, investigations are underway involving various security agencies to apprehend Anjarwalla.
Soldiers who were detailed to monitor him have been detained and are being interrogated by a team comprising military, Department of State Services (DSS), Police, EFCC, and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
The Nigerian government has already arraigned Binance Holdings Limited and its executives, including Tigran Gambaryan, with charges related to operating financial services without valid licenses, engaging in unauthorized financial activities, and money laundering.
Gambaryan is currently in EFCC custody, and efforts to arraign Anjarwalla in absentia are proceeding.
The court documents obtained indicate the specific charges against Binance Holdings Limited, Anjarwalla (now at large), and Gambaryan, detailing their alleged involvement in financial activities without proper licenses, unlawful foreign exchange dealings, and money laundering.
The government has also brought forth additional charges accusing them of failing to register with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to fulfill tax obligations.
With collaboration from international law enforcement agencies and the Kenyan government, Nigerian authorities are intensifying efforts to bring Anjarwalla back to Nigeria to face prosecution for the alleged financial crimes.
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