The Federal Government and the International Criminal Police Organisation have commenced the process of extraditing a Binance chief, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped from detention on March 22.
Security agencies had in February arrested Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, two executives of the crypto-currency firm, Binance Holdings Limited, over alleged money laundering.
They were detained in ‘a safe house’ in Abuja on the order of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Among other charges, the firm and the two executives were arraigned for $35,400,000 money laundering at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
But on Friday, March 22, Anjarwalla escaped from detention and left the country using a Kenyan passport.
According to government sources, the absence of Anjarwalla would not affect the arraignment of Binance and Tigran and Gambaryan in court on Thursday over a five-count money laundering charge.
“Mr Anjarwalla’s extradition process has begun. The Federal Government is working as did with INTERPOL to extradite the fugitive to Nigeria. He’s a fugitive that escaped from lawful custody, and his other partner is still in custody and would be arraigned on Thursday alongside their company, Binance,” a source revealed.
Another source revealed, “It is true that the Federal Government has commenced the process of extraditing Binance’ Anjarwalla in order to bring him back to Nigeria to answer to his money laundering case in court, among others. The arraignment of Binance and Gambaryan in court on Thursday will also aide Anjarwalla’s extradition.”
Meanwhile another source said the soldiers detailed to monitor Anjarwalla were being grilled by special investigators drawn from the military, Department of State Services, the police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the National Intelligence Agency.
“The soldiers detailed to monitor Anjarwalla have been detained as you know, and they’re still being grilled by special investigators drawn from various security and intelligence agencies and services- the military, DSS, NIA, and the police, all hands are on deck as it is a matter of national security.”
The EFCC had earlier charged Binance Holdings Limited, Gambaryan, Anjarwalla with $35,400,000 money laundering.
The anti-graft agency will on Thursday arraign Binance Holdings Limited and two of its senior executives Gambaryan; and the escaped Anjarwalla, over alleged $35,400,000 money laundering.
