FG, INTERPOL Pursue Binance Chief Who Escaped Custody.
By Caroline Ameh
The Nigerian Federal Government and the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) have initiated extradition proceedings for Nadeem Anjarwalla, a top executive of Binance, who fled from detention on March 22nd.
In February, security agencies arrested Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, executives of Binance Holdings Limited, over allegations of money laundering. They were detained in Abuja on the orders of National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Despite facing charges of $35.4 million money laundering, Anjarwalla managed to escape detention on March 22nd, using a Kenyan passport to leave the country.
Government sources have confirmed that extradition proceedings are underway, ensuring Anjarwalla’s return to Nigeria to face trial. His escape will not impede the scheduled court arraignment of Binance and Gambaryan on Thursday.
An investigation into Anjarwalla’s escape involves special investigators from various security agencies, including the military, Department of State Services, police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and National Intelligence Agency.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has taken over the case and will arraign Binance Holdings Limited and its executives, Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in absentia on Thursday for alleged money laundering.
The EFCC is collaborating with INTERPOL, the FBI, the UK government, and the Kenyan government to arrest and extradite Anjarwalla.
Following the EFCC’s intervention, five-count charges were filed against Binance, Anjarwalla, and Gambaryan for various financial irregularities.
Anjarwalla’s escape prompted the Nigerian government to issue an arrest warrant and contact INTERPOL for assistance.
Anjarwalla’s escape route reportedly involved a Middle East airliner, facilitated by a smuggled international passport.
The Office of the NSA confirmed Anjarwalla’s escape, attributing it to the use of a smuggled passport.
The Financial Times had previously reported on the arrest of Binance executives and the EFCC’s request for user data, sparking negotiations between Binance and Nigeria.
