Tobias Sylvester
The Kenya Police Service has arrested Nadeem Anjarwalla, a fleeing executive from Binance, who escaped from the Nigerian authorities.
Nadeem Anjarwalla was one of the two Binance executives detained in Nigeria for alleged tax evasion and other offenses.
The Binance’s regional manager for Africa escaped from the Abuja guest house where he and a colleague were detained on March 22.
Anjarwalla reportedly absconded after being escorted by guards to a nearby mosque for prayers during Ramadan fasting.
Having fled lawful custody in Nigeria, Anjarwalla was located in Kenya in April by a team comprising operatives from INTERPOL, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Kenya Police Service.
Government officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed on Sunday that Anjarwalla had been detained by the Kenyan police and is likely to be extradited to Nigeria within the week.
Sources revealed that Anjarwalla’s arrest was based on the approval of an extradition request by INTERPOL Nigeria, in collaboration with the EFCC.
Government sources confirmed his arrest to Punch, saying: “Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, has been arrested by the Kenya Police Service, and he would be extradited to Nigeria this week by INTERPOL.”
Another source noted, “As we had said before that Anjarwalla would be extradited, he has been arrested in Kenya, and he’ll be extradited to Nigeria this week.”
In light of this development, the EFCC, the International Criminal Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Kenyan Police Service are exploring ways to expedite Anjarwalla’s extradition.
Earlier reports revealed that the Federal Government had traced Anjarwalla to Kenya following his escape from lawful custody in Nigeria.
Efforts have been intensified to ensure his return to Nigeria to face the charges brought against him, with collaboration among Nigerian authorities, Kenyan authorities, and INTERPOL.
“We have found him. We know where he is; he is in Kenya, and we’re working with the authorities to bring him back to Nigeria.
“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,” the report had quoted a source as saying.
Meanwhile, Nadeem Anjarwalla’s colleague, Tigran Gambaryan has pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering filed against him.
