The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Binance Holdings Limited and two of its senior executives, Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, in connection with an alleged money laundering case amounting to $35,400,000. This announcement comes after the executives reportedly escaped custody and fled Nigeria.
According to sources within the anti-graft agency, the EFCC formally charged Binance Holdings Limited, Gambaryan, and Anjarwalla with money laundering on Thursday, March 28. Gambaryan has been detained by the EFCC, while a court warrant has been obtained for the arrest and extradition of Anjarwalla, who remains at large.
An official statement from the EFCC confirmed that Anjarwalla would be arraigned in absentia alongside Binance and Gambaryan.
"The detained Binance executive, Gambaryan, is now in the custody of the EFCC. The NSA has handed over the matter to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution. The commission has charged Binance, Gambaryan, and Anjarwalla to court for $35,400,000 money laundering, and they’ll be arraigned in court on Thursday, April 4, 2024," a source revealed.
Furthermore, the EFCC is collaborating with international law enforcement agencies, including INTERPOL, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States, the United Kingdom government, and the Kenyan government, to locate and apprehend Anjarwalla, who is considered a fugitive.
The charges filed against Binance Holdings Limited and its executives include engaging in financial activities without valid licenses, illegal forex trading, conspiracy to conceal the origin of proceeds, and money laundering.
Anjarwalla's escape from custody has prompted a nationwide manhunt, with the Federal Government issuing an arrest warrant through INTERPOL. The fugitive, who holds British and Kenyan nationalities, reportedly fled Nigeria using a smuggled Kenyan passport.
Security agencies have intensified efforts to apprehend Anjarwalla, and investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding his escape.
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has urged the public, both locally and internationally, to provide any information that could lead to the arrest of Anjarwalla.
The case against Binance and its executives began after the company's website was banned in Nigeria, leading to the arrest and detention of its executives upon their arrival in the country. The EFCC subsequently requested data from Binance regarding its top users and transaction history in Nigeria.
Negotiations between Binance and Nigerian authorities regarding the provision of data are reportedly ongoing.
The EFCC's efforts underscore the government's commitment to combatting financial crimes and ensuring the integrity of Nigeria's financial systems.