FG locates Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance executive who fled custody, in Kenya.

Nigerian government has revealed that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a Binance executive who had escaped custody in Nigeria, has been located in Kenya – a source within the presidency confirmed this crucial development.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the International Criminal Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Kenyan Police Service, is actively engaged in discussions to expedite Anjarwalla’s extradition process.

The EFCC chairman, Ola Olukuyede, reiterated the commission’s determination to work closely with INTERPOL, as well as authorities from the US, UK, Northern Ireland, and Kenya, to facilitate the extradition of Anjarwalla, who has been evading authorities.

The commission had earlier filed five-count charges against Binance Holdings Limited, Tigran Gambaryan, and Anjarwalla, relating to tax evasion, currency speculation, and money laundering. Binance and the two executives were arraigned on Thursday, April 4, 2024.

Anjarwalla’s escape from custody on March 22 sparked a heightened efforts by law-enforcement personnel to capture him, with authorities intensifying efforts to locate and apprehend him.

Furthermore, the Nigerian government has confirmed that the EFCC has assumed full responsibility for the Binance case, which was previously under the purview of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The government’s crackdown on Binance has been ongoing for months, with a focus on its alleged involvement in manipulating Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

During the 293rd meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in February, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed that over $26 billion had been routed through Binance without proper documentation.

This revelation underscores the gravity of the situation and the government’s determination to hold accountable those involved in illicit financial activities.