The Nigerian Government has initiated collaboration with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to seek the extradition of Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla, who has evaded the Nigerian authorities and is currently on the run. This move was reported by the local media outlet Punch. In a related plea, Binance has requested the Nigerian authorities to release another of its executives, Tigran Gambaryan, who is currently in custody, stating that Gambaryan does not hold decision-making power within the company.
The government’s request for Interpol’s assistance comes after Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan citizen, escaped custody in Nigeria on March 22 during Friday prayers at a Mosque in Abuja, despite being detained since February alongside Gambaryan for their firm’s legal issues with the Nigerian authorities. The extradition process for Anjarwalla has already commenced, with the Nigerian government working closely with Interpol to facilitate his return to face legal proceedings.
Both Anjarwalla and Gambaryan, along with Binance, are implicated in a money laundering case led by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the country’s anti-corruption authority. The case alleges that Binance facilitated the laundering of approximately $35.4 million. The accusations against Binance and its executives include engaging in illicit activities, operating without proper licensing from 2022 to 2024, and misusing virtual asset services to manipulate foreign exchange rates in Nigeria unlawfully, all of which are subject to legal action. Source
