Kenyan Police Reportedly Arrest Binance Executive Who Fled From Nigeria
Police authorities in Kenya have reportedly apprehended Nadeem Anjarwalla, an executive of the cryptocurrency platform Binance, who had fled Nigeria a few weeks ago.
Anjarwalla had escaped from Nigerian custody amidst the Federal Government's crackdown on the cryptocurrency platform aimed at bolstering the naira.
Although the Nigerian authorities later tracked Anjarwalla to Kenya, multiple reports indicate that the Binance executive is now in the custody of the Kenyan police.
Government sources in Kenya have confirmed that Anjarwalla is indeed in the custody of the country’s police, as per the reports. Since his escape from Nigeria, there have been discussions between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the International Criminal Police, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Kenyan Police Service regarding his extradition.
In March, the EFCC announced plans to extradite Anjarwalla in the agency’s bulletin for the month. The agency's chief, Ola Olukoyede, emphasized the significance of this move in curbing distortions and disruptions in Nigeria's forex market.
Anjarwalla, who holds British and Kenyan citizenship and serves as Binance’s Africa Regional Manager, was facing trial in Nigerian courts before his escape. He had escaped while under a 14-day remand order by a court, with a scheduled appearance on April 4, 2024.
Recent months have seen increased scrutiny of Binance by the Nigerian government, with Anjarwalla among the cryptocurrency chiefs arrested amid the regulatory tensions. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) alleged that over $26 billion was funneled through Binance without a trace, according to CBN governor Yemi Cardoso.
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