The Nigerian government has engaged the International Criminal Police Organization, Interpol, to facilitate the extradition of Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla, who is currently on the run. reported by local media channel Punch.
Meanwhile, Binance has urged Nigerian authorities to release its other executive, Tigran Gambaryan, who is currently in their clutches. The firm said:
“Binance respectfully requests that Tigran Gambaryan, who has no decision-making authority in the company, is not held responsible while the current discussions between Binance and Nigerian government officials are ongoing.”
Nigeria seeks help from Interpol
According to reports, the Nigerian government has requested the assistance of Interpol in the extradition of Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan national who recently escaped the custody of Nigerian authorities.
Anjarwalla and Gambaryan were arrested in February after problems between their company and authorities.
After spending more than a month in custody, Anjarwalla managed to escape on March 22 during Friday prayers at a mosque in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
In response, the government initiated extradition proceedings with the help of Interpol. An unnamed government source reportedly said:
“The extradition process of Anjarwalla has begun. The Federal Government, like INTERPOL, is working to extradite the fugitive to Nigeria. He is a fugitive who escaped from lawful custody, and his other partner remains in custody and was expected to be arraigned Thursday along with their company, Binance.”
Money laundering charges
Meanwhile, Anjarwalla, Gambaryan and Binance have been embroiled in a money laundering case by Nigerian authorities.
The case, filed by the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the country’s anti-corruption authority, alleged that the platform facilitated the laundering of about $35.4 million.
Allegations against Binance and its executives include engaging in illegal activities, money laundering, and operating without proper authorization between 2022 and 2024. Notably, Binance operated within the country’s borders before then.
Furthermore, the EFCC alleges that the platform has misused its virtual asset services to unlawfully manipulate foreign exchange rates in Nigeria, an offense that could have legal consequences.