By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Federal Government said it has located Nadeem Anjarwalla, a fleeing executive of Binance, in Kenya, intensifying efforts for his extradition to Nigeria.
Anjarwalla escaped custody in Nigeria, prompting a multi-agency operation involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Kenyan Police Service.
Multiple sources in the Presidency said Anjarwalla went into hiding immediately upon arriving in Kenya. “We have found him. He is in Kenya, and we’re working with the authorities to bring him back to Nigeria,” a source confirmed.
Another source corroborated this, stating, “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.”
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, recently confirmed the commission’s collaboration with international agencies to extradite Anjarwalla.
“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,” Olukoyede stated.
While Gambaryan is currently in EFCC custody, the extradition process for Anjarwalla is 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,” Olukoyede added.
The Federal Government had previously initiated the extradition process over the alleged $35,400,000 money laundering.
“Mr. Anjarwalla’s extradition process has begun. He’s a fugitive that escaped from lawful custody,” a source noted.
Meanwhile, soldiers detailed to monitor Anjarwalla are being interrogated by special investigators from various security and intelligence agencies, including the military, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the police.
“It is a matter of national security,” a top security source confirmed.
On April 4, the EFCC arraigned Binance Holdings Limited and its executives, Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, on money laundering charges.
With Gambaryan in EFCC custody and Anjarwalla at large, the commission has obtained a court warrant for Anjarwalla’s arrest and extradition.
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