Kenya and Nigeria at Odds Over Fugitive Binance Executive

Nigeria is intensifying its efforts to repatriate Nadeem Anjarwalla, a fugitive executive of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, following his escape from custody in April. 

Despite persistent requests from Nigerian authorities, Kenya maintains it has no knowledge of Anjarwalla's whereabouts, raising diplomatic concerns. Anjarwalla, a British-Kenyan dual national and former Binance director for East Africa, was detained in Nigeria alongside Tigran Gambaryan, Binance's head of financial crime compliance, in February. The two were invited to Nigeria to discuss allegations that Binance's operations contributed to the destabilisation of the Nigerian currency, the naira.

Nigeria's Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, reiterates the country's determination to apprehend Anjarwalla, stating on June 2 that his escape constituted "a violation of our laws." He confirms that Nigeria is collaborating with Interpol in the search.

However, Kenyan officials have denied any involvement or knowledge of Anjarwalla's location. Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing'oei says he was "not aware of the case," and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) chief Amin Mohamed has also denied involvement. These denials contrast sharply with reports that briefly suggested Anjarwalla was detained in Kenya following his escape, claims later dismissed by the Kenyan government and Anjarwalla's family.

Meanwhile, Gambaryan faced legal proceedings in Nigeria until his case was dropped on humanitarian grounds after eight months of detention due to deteriorating health. Authorities recommended urgent medical treatment abroad for Gambaryan, a former investigator for the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with a history of investigating illicit cryptocurrency transactions and enhancing Binance's compliance protocols.

Binance itself faces significant legal challenges in Nigeria. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has accused the company of tax fraud and currency disruption, demanding $79.5 billion in damages and $2 billion in back taxes. Binance contests these claims, arguing that the Nigerian authorities' service of court documents on a foreign entity registered in the Cayman Islands was legally flawed. The company's legal team is urging the court to set aside the order.