The Kenyan authorities are currently in the process of extraditing Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance executive who is wanted by the Nigerian government. Anjarwalla was captured in Kenya over the weekend after a joint operation involving various agencies, including the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Police Force, Kenya Police Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). He is facing charges related to tax evasion in Nigeria, and there is a possibility of additional charges being pursued against him for using illegal passports and escaping from custody.
Legal Troubles of Anjarwalla and Gambrayan
Anjarwalla, who is the regional manager of Binance Africa, along with another executive named Tigran Gambrayan, got into legal trouble in Nigeria in February. The authorities detained them due to their connections to the crypto exchange. Anjarwalla managed to escape from legal custody in March using a Kenyan passport and has been on the run since then. This situation has escalated the conflict between Binance and the Nigerian authorities. Gambrayan, on the other hand, has been detained since February and is currently on trial for alleged tax evasion.
The tax evasion proceedings against the Binance executives have faced challenges in Nigeria. The court has adjourned the case twice because the exchange was not formally served with the charges. The judge is expected to make a ruling on the matter by May 17. Binance CEO Richard Teng has expressed willingness to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to resolve the issue, but specific efforts to secure the release of the detained executives have not been disclosed.
Efforts to secure the release of the detained executives have faced setbacks. Gambrayan’s bail application hearing was postponed by a federal high court in Abuja, and he is currently being held at the Kuje correctional center. The legal battle between Binance and Nigerian authorities continues to unfold, with both sides facing challenges in resolving the situation. The extradition of Anjarwalla to Nigeria is expected to take place within the week, further intensifying the ongoing conflict between the parties.
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