The Federal Government has confirmed the whereabouts of a Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla

who fled custody in Nigeria, tracing him to Kenya.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, International Criminal Police, Nigeria Police Force, and Kenyan Police Service are collaborating to accelerate Anjarwalla’s extradition process.

Sources within the Presidency, closely involved in the case said that Anjarwalla, whose whereabouts were previously unknown, went into hiding upon arriving in Kenya.

The source revealed, “We have found him. We know where he is. He is in Kenya, and we’re working with the authorities to bring him back to Nigeria.”

Another source said: “All hands are on the deck. The government and all the security agencies are working hard in conjunction with the Kenyan authorities and INTERPOL, to ensure his return to Nigeria to face the charges brought against him.”

Meanwhile, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, in the March edition of the agency’s bulletin titled “EFCC Alert,” released last week, confirmed the commission’s collaboration with Interpol, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the governments of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Kenya to extradite Anjarwalla.

Olukoyede noted, “The takeover of the prosecution of Binance chiefs by the commission is no less a strong message in the direction of EFCC’s resolve to hedge in distortions and disruptions in the country’s forex market.

“Tax evasion, currency speculation and money laundering to the tune of $35.4m  are at the foundation of the commission’s five-count charges against Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, the company’s chief executives.

“While Gambaryan is currently in the commission’s net, the process of extraditing the fleeing Anjarwalla is revving in full swing.

“Involved in partnership with the EFCC to nick Anjarwalla in flight are the International Criminal Police Organisation, the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation, the governments of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and Kenya as the clock winds down to his arraignment in absentia alongside the company and Gambaryan.

“Mr Anjarwalla’s extradition process has begun. The FG is working as did with INTERPOL to extradite the fugitive to Nigeria. He’s a fugitive that escaped from lawful custody, and his other partner is still in custody and would be arraigned on Thursday alongside their company, Binance,” a source had noted.

Another source revealed, “It is true that the FG has commenced the process of extraditing Binance’ Anjarwalla to bring him back to Nigeria to answer to his money laundering case in court, among others.

“The arraignment of Binance and Gambaryan in court on Thursday would also aid Anjarwalla’s extradition.”

Meanwhile, a reliable security source involved in the matter confirmed that the soldiers assigned to monitor Anjarwalla were undergoing interrogation by special investigators from the military, Department of State Services, Police, EFCC, and the National Intelligence Agency.

“The soldiers detailed to monitor Anjarwalla have been detained as you know, and they’re still being grilled by special investigators drawn from various security and intelligence agencies and services- the military, DSS, NIA, and the police, all hands are on deck, as it is a matter of national security,” the source stated.

On Thursday, April 4, the EFCC brought charges of money laundering against Binance Holdings Limited and two of its senior executives, Gambaryan and Anjarwalla (currently on the run). on money laundering allegations.

The EFCC, now in full control of the case previously handled by the Office of the National Security Adviser, has detained Mr. Gambaryan and secured a court warrant for the arrest and extradition of Mr. Anjarwalla.

Confirming the development on Friday, a reliable sources stated that Mr. Anjarwalla would be charged in absentia alongside Binance and Mr. Gambaryan, who is currently in EFCC custody.

“The detained Binance executive, Gambaryan is now in custody of the EFCC. The NSA has handed over the matter to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution. The commission has charged Binance, Gambaryan and Anjarwalla to court for $35,400,000 money laundering, and they’ll be arraigned in court on Thursday, April 4, 2024.” a source noted.

Another source revealed, “The EFCC is now partnering with the International Criminal Police Organisation, the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation, the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Kenyan government, to effect the arrest and extradition of Mr Anjarwalla, the fugitive who fled from lawful custody in Nigeria.”

© The Punch

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