Kenyan authorities are preparing to hand over Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance executive, to the Nigerian government. Anjarwalla was apprehended in Kenya by a joint operation involving multiple agencies including the EFCC, Kenya Police Service, FBI, and INTERPOL. The arrest was made after weeks of searching and according to sources, Anjarwalla is set to be extradited to Nigeria within the week to face charges of tax evasion and other offenses such as the use of illegal passports and escape from custody.
In February, Anjarwalla and another Binance executive, Tigran Gambrayan, were detained in Nigeria due to their involvement with the crypto exchange. Anjarwalla managed to break free from legal custody in March using a Kenyan passport and has been evading authorities ever since. This incident has only heightened tensions between Binance and the Nigerian government.
Gambrayan, who remains in custody since February, is currently facing trial for alleged tax evasion. However, the legal proceedings have faced difficulties as the court adjourned the case twice due to issues with formally serving the charges to the exchange. A ruling on the matter is expected on May 17, with Binance CEO Richard Teng pledging cooperation with Nigerian authorities to resolve the issue. Efforts to secure the release of the detained executives are ongoing but specifics remain undisclosed.
Despite efforts to secure his release, Gambrayan has faced setbacks with a federal high court in Abuja postponing his bail application hearing. Currently, he is being held at the Kuje correctional center awaiting further legal proceedings. The situation remains tense as both executives find themselves entangled in a complex legal battle with the Nigerian authorities.