Kenyan authorities are preparing to extradite Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance executive wanted by the Nigerian government. Anjarwalla was apprehended in Kenya after a coordinated effort involving the EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, Kenya Police Service, FBI, and INTERPOL. Following his arrest, reports indicate that he will be extradited to Nigeria to face charges related to tax evasion, illegal passport usage, and escape from custody.
Anjarwalla, who serves as Binance Africa’s regional manager, and another executive, Tigran Gambrayan, have been embroiled in legal issues in Nigeria since February. Gambrayan, currently detained in Nigeria, is facing allegations of tax evasion with court proceedings facing delays due to challenges in formally serving the charges to the crypto exchange.
The situation has strained the relationship between Binance and Nigerian law enforcement agencies. Binance CEO Richard Teng has expressed intentions to cooperate with authorities to resolve the matter, although the specifics of efforts to secure the release of detained executives remain undisclosed. Gambrayan’s attempts to secure bail have been hindered by the postponement of his hearing at the Abuja federal high court, leading to his continued detention at the Kuje correctional center.
The Nigerian court is expected to rule on the tax evasion case by May 17, while efforts to address Anjarwalla’s escape and use of illegal passports are also underway. The extradition of the Binance executive highlights the complexities of international legal matters and the challenges faced by multinational corporations operating in various jurisdictions.
The saga involving Binance executives in Nigeria underscores the importance of compliance with local regulations and the consequences of legal violations in the cryptocurrency industry. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how the situation will impact Binance’s operations in Africa and its relationship with Nigerian authorities.