A high-stakes international pursuit has been launched by the Federal Government and the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to bring Nadeem Anjarwalla, a chief executive at Binance, to justice after his daring escape from detention on March 22.
Anjarwalla, along with Tigran Gambaryan, both top executives at the cryptocurrency firm Binance Holdings Limited, were apprehended by security agencies in February over alleged money laundering. However, their detention took a dramatic turn when Anjarwalla managed to flee from ‘a safe house’ in Abuja using a Kenyan passport, leaving authorities scrambling for answers.
In a bid to ensure accountability, the government, in collaboration with INTERPOL, has initiated extradition proceedings to secure Anjarwalla’s return to Nigeria to face the charges against him. Despite his absence, the arraignment of Binance and Gambaryan is scheduled to proceed in court on Thursday, unaffected by Anjarwalla’s flight.
Government sources have confirmed that the soldiers tasked with monitoring Anjarwalla’s detention are under intense scrutiny by a coalition of special investigators from various security and intelligence agencies. This multi-agency effort underscores the gravity of the situation and the commitment to upholding national security interests.
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is intensifying its efforts, with the arrest of Gambaryan and the issuance of a court warrant for Anjarwalla’s extradition. The EFCC has filed charges against Binance Holdings Limited and its executives, outlining allegations of money laundering totaling $35,400,000.
Amidst mounting pressure, negotiations between Binance and Nigerian authorities continue, with the EFCC demanding data on the company’s top users and transaction history as part of the ongoing investigation into financial irregularities.
As the pursuit of Anjarwalla intensifies on both domestic and international fronts, the case underscores the complexities and challenges surrounding cryptocurrency regulation and enforcement, raising critical questions about accountability and transparency in the digital financial realm. Stay tuned as the saga unfolds, reshaping the landscape of crypto governance and law enforcement in Nigeria and beyond.