Reports from multiple news outlets in Kenya on April 22 indicate that Nadeem Anjarwalla, a British and Kenyan citizen employed at cryptocurrency exchange Binance, has been detained in Kenya. Anjarwalla allegedly fled Nigeria in March and may now face extradition to Nigeria to address criminal charges. The arrest follows his reported escape from Nigerian custody on March 22, where he allegedly absconded while being escorted to a mosque for prayers, subsequently utilizing a Kenyan passport to leave the country.
While confirmation of Anjarwalla's arrest in Kenya is pending, reports suggest that he initially traveled to Nigeria in February with Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan. Their visit came amid allegations of the exchange's involvement in manipulating Nigeria's fiat currency, the naira. Following Binance's announcement of halting all naira trading, Nigerian authorities detained two individuals, prompting Anjarwalla's reported escape and subsequent flight from Nigeria.
The circumstances surrounding Anjarwalla's departure from Nigeria remain murky, with reports indicating that he managed to depart from Nigeria's capital, Abuja, using his Kenyan passport, as his British travel documents were allegedly confiscated. In Anjarwalla's absence, Nigerian authorities have pressed charges against Binance and Gambaryan, with the latter pleading not guilty to charges of tax evasion and money laundering during a court appearance on April 19.
Meanwhile, Gambaryan's wife has initiated a petition advocating for his deportation to the United States, contending that he is an "innocent man" entangled in external machinations. Binance has distanced itself from Gambaryan's legal entanglements, asserting that he lacks decision-making authority within the company and should not be held liable for the exchange's activities in Nigeria. Additionally, former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao is awaiting sentencing on April 30 in a separate U.S. case, having pleaded guilty to a felony charge, potentially facing a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
