Efforts to extradite a Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who fled Nigeria, have commenced, as per reports indicating collaboration between Interpol and the Nigerian government to secure his return.
Top government insiders disclosed to Nigerian outlet PUNCH on Tuesday that the extradition process for Anjarwalla has been set in motion.
Anjarwalla, along with another Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, faced detainment in February on allegations of tax offenses, yet Anjarwalla evaded authorities on March 22, escaping while visiting a mosque.
Sources, preferring anonymity, confirmed the extradition process’s initiation, with one stating, “The Federal Government is working with INTERPOL to extradite the fugitive to Nigeria.”
Another source elaborated that Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in collaboration with Interpol, the FBI, and governments of Kenya and the UK, is actively pursuing Anjarwalla’s arrest and extradition.
As of now, Anjarwalla’s status regarding arrest or detention remains unclear, and there has been no issuance of an Interpol arrest warrant in his name. Protos has reached out to Nigerian authorities and PUNCH for clarification on this development.
Binance Legal Proceedings
Meanwhile, the EFCC will on Thursday arraign Binance Holdings Limited and two of its senior executives Gambaryan; and Anjarwalla, th fugitive over alleged $35,400,000 money laundering.
Both Gambaryan and Anjarwalla filed a lawsuit against the EFCC on March 28, alleging infringement of their personal liberty rights. They sought release, passport return, a public apology, and avoidance of future detention. However, the judge deferred ruling due to EFCC’s lack of legal representation and rescheduled the hearing for April 8.