Binance Executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, Apprehended in Kenya, Expected to be Extradited to Nigeria within the Week
Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance executive who escaped from Nigerian custody, has been located in Kenya and is now facing extradition or deportation back to Nigeria via Interpol. The trial for Binance’s alleged tax evasion has been postponed by Nigeria’s Federal High Court to May 17. Tigran Gambaryan, another Binance executive who was detained alongside Anjarwalla, remains in custody awaiting trial.
The charges against them include tax evasion, currency speculation, and money laundering, amounting to $35.4 million. This arrest is a significant development in the ongoing investigation and is the result of a coordinated effort between Kenyan and international law enforcement agencies.
According to a local media report, the Kenya Police Service has detained Nadeem Anjarwalla, who fled from Nigeria, and Interpol is scheduled to extradite him to Nigeria within the week. Government sources, speaking anonymously, have confirmed the arrest and imminent extradition. Anjarwalla was captured in Kenya after efforts were made to locate him following his escape from custody in Nigeria. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), along with Interpol, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Kenyan Police Service, are intensifying discussions to expedite Anjarwalla’s extradition. Anjarwalla went into hiding in Kenya after his cover was exposed.
The charges against Anjarwalla by Nigeria’s EFCC highlight the seriousness of the allegations. Legal action is ongoing to ensure justice is served and those involved in fraud face the consequences.
The collaboration between Nigerian and Kenyan authorities, as well as international cooperation in this case, demonstrates the importance of joint action in combating transnational financial crimes. The arrest of Anjarwalla and the progress in the legal proceedings send a strong message about the commitment to upholding the rule of law and preserving the integrity of the global financial system.
However, Anjarwalla’s potential arrest and extradition may encounter legal challenges due to extradition laws and international collaboration. In Kenya, arrest warrants from Nigerian courts or Interpol red notices are necessary for extradition, which requires court consent and can take months or even years, as seen in previous cases like that of Chris Okemo and Samuel Gichuru.
So far, Binance has been unsuccessful in returning either executive to their home countries, despite stating that Tigran Gambaryan, in particular, has no decision-making power.
Tags: Binance