Recently, Kenyan authorities, in collaboration with various agencies including the EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, Kenya Police Service, FBI, and INTERPOL, successfully captured Nadeem Anjarwalla in Kenya. Anjarwalla, a Binance executive, had been sought by the Nigerian government for several weeks. Following his arrest, reports indicate that he is set to be extradited to Nigeria within the week to face trial on charges related to tax evasion.
Anjarwalla, who serves as Binance Africa’s regional manager, had initially run into legal trouble in Nigeria back in February along with another Binance executive, Tigran Gambrayan. The issues stemmed from their connection to the crypto exchange and resulted in their arrest by Nigerian authorities. Anjarwalla, however, managed to evade custody in March using a Kenyan passport, leading to him being on the run ever since.
The ongoing conflict between Binance and Nigerian authorities seems to be escalating with Anjarwalla’s capture and potential extradition. Gambrayan, the other detained executive, is currently facing trial for alleged tax evasion. Delays in the legal proceedings, including adjournments due to the exchange not being formally served with charges, have complicated the situation. A ruling on the matter is expected by May 17, but the outcome remains uncertain.
Binance CEO Richard Teng has expressed a willingness to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to resolve the issues surrounding the detained executives. However, the specific efforts being made to secure their release have not been disclosed. Gambrayan, who is currently held at the Kuje correctional center, has also faced setbacks in his attempt to secure bail. A federal high court in Abuja postponed his bail application hearing, prolonging his time in custody.
The extradition of Nadeem Anjarwalla to Nigeria marks a significant development in the ongoing legal saga involving Binance executives and Nigerian authorities. The challenges faced by both parties, including delays in legal proceedings and setbacks in securing bail, highlight the complexity of the situation. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold and what impact it will have on the relationship between Binance and the Nigerian government.