The Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), has initiated the extradition process for Nadeem Anjarwalla, a chief executive of Binance, who fled from detention on March 22.
Anjarwalla, along with Tigran Gambaryan, another Binance executive, was arrested in February over alleged money laundering activities.
The duo was detained in Abuja on the order of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and were later arraigned for money laundering charges amounting to $35,400,000 at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, Anjarwalla managed to escape from detention on March 22, using a Kenyan passport to leave the country.
The government has now commenced extradition proceedings to bring him back to Nigeria to face charges. Despite his absence, the arraignment of Binance and Gambaryan in court is set to proceed on Thursday.
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Special investigators from various security and intelligence agencies, including the military, Department of State Services, police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the National Intelligence Agency, are currently questioning the soldiers who were detailed to monitor Anjarwalla.
Furthermore, the EFCC, which has taken over the case from the Office of the National Security Adviser, has filed charges against Binance Holdings Limited, Gambaryan, and Anjarwalla for money laundering.
Gambaryan is now in EFCC custody, while Anjarwalla will be arraigned in absentia alongside Binance and Gambaryan.
Efforts are being made to collaborate with international law enforcement agencies, including INTERPOL, the FBI, and the UK government, to arrest and extradite Anjarwalla back to Nigeria.
The charges against Binance Holdings Limited and its executives include engaging in specialized financial business without a valid license, concealing the origin of proceeds from unlawful activities, and unlawful negotiation of foreign exchange rates in Nigeria.
Anjarwalla’s escape has raised concerns about national security, prompting intensified investigations and extradition efforts.
The government’s actions underscore its commitment to combatting financial crimes and ensuring accountability within the cryptocurrency sector.
