FG has tracked down a Binance executive to Kenya: The Federal Government has successfully tracked down Nadeem Anjarwalla, a fleeing executive of Binance, to Kenya, following his escape from custody in Nigeria.
In response to this development, a concerted effort involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Kenyan Police Service has been initiated to expedite Anjarwalla’s extradition.
Sources within the Presidency familiar with the matter informed Saturday PUNCH that Anjarwalla, whose whereabouts have been uncovered, went into hiding immediately after arriving in Kenya.
FG has tracked down a Binance executive to Kenya
One source stated, “We have located him. We know his whereabouts. He is in Kenya, and we are collaborating with the authorities to facilitate his return to Nigeria.”
Another source, corroborating this information, added, “All relevant agencies, in conjunction with the Kenyan authorities and INTERPOL, are diligently working towards his repatriation to Nigeria to face the charges against him.”
Meanwhile, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, confirmed in the agency’s bulletin released last week that efforts were underway to extradite Anjarwalla in collaboration with INTERPOL, the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the governments of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Kenya.
Olukoyede stated, “The EFCC’s involvement in prosecuting Binance executives sends a strong message about our commitment to curbing distortions and disruptions in Nigeria’s forex market. Charges of tax evasion, currency speculation, and money laundering totaling $35.4 million have been brought against Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan, and Nadeem Anjarwalla.”
He further noted, “While Gambaryan is currently in custody, efforts to extradite Anjarwalla are underway with the cooperation of international partners.”
Earlier reports had indicated that the Federal Government had commenced extradition proceedings against Anjarwalla over allegations of money laundering totaling $35,400,000.
Regarding the soldiers assigned to monitor Anjarwalla, a top security source confirmed that they were being interrogated by special investigators from various security agencies, including the military, Department of State Services (DSS), Police, EFCC, and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
The EFCC had previously arraigned Binance Holdings Limited and its senior executives, including Gambaryan, on money laundering charges. Gambaryan is currently in EFCC custody, while Anjarwalla remains at large. The EFCC has obtained a court warrant for Anjarwalla’s arrest and extradition.
In response to these developments, Anjarwalla, Binance, and Gambaryan are set to be arraigned in court in absentia on Thursday, April 4, 2024.
