The Kenyan authorities are preparing to extradite Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance executive who is being sought by the Nigerian government. Anjarwalla was captured in Kenya over the weekend after a joint operation involving various agencies such as the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Police Force, Kenya Police Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). He is set to be extradited to Nigeria within the week to face trial on charges related to tax evasion. Additionally, Nigerian law enforcement agencies may also pursue further charges regarding his use of illegal passports and his escape from custody.
Anjarwalla, who is the regional manager of Binance Africa, and another executive, Tigran Gambrayan, got into legal trouble in Nigeria in February over their connections to the crypto exchange. While Gambrayan has been detained since then and is facing trial for alleged tax evasion, Anjarwalla managed to escape legal custody in March using a Kenyan passport and has been on the run ever since. This situation has escalated the conflict between Binance and the Nigerian authorities.
The tax evasion proceedings against the Binance executives have faced obstacles in Nigeria. The case has been adjourned twice by a Nigerian court because the exchange was not formally served with the charges. The judge is expected to make a ruling on the matter by May 17. Binance CEO Richard Teng has promised to cooperate with Nigerian authorities to resolve the issue, but the specific efforts to secure the release of the detained executives have not been disclosed.
Setbacks in Seeking Release
In the case of Gambrayan, attempts to secure his release have also hit roadblocks. A federal high court in Abuja has postponed his bail application hearing, and he is currently being held at the Kuje correctional center. The situation remains unresolved, and the legal troubles faced by Binance executives in Nigeria continue to linger.
The extradition of Nadeem Anjarwalla and the legal issues surrounding Binance executives in Nigeria paint a troubling picture. The complexities of the case, including tax evasion charges, the use of illegal passports, and difficulties in legal proceedings, highlight the challenges faced by foreign executives operating in the country. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and whether Binance will be able to resolve its conflicts with the Nigerian authorities.
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