Kenyan officials have rebuffed claims that Nadeem Anjarwalla, the Binance executive facing tax evasion charges in Nigeria, was arrested in Kenya on April 22.
Despite reports circulating in Nigerian media outlets suggesting his imminent extradition, Kenyan authorities maintain that no such arrest has taken place.
Contrary to Nigerian assertions, Kenyan spokesperson for the National Police Service (NPS), Resila Onyango, stated that they were unaware of any such arrest. Additionally, other unnamed officials dismissed the reports as mere rumors.
Anjarwalla’s wife has also refuted the claims, as reported by crypto publication Coindesk. She denied any knowledge of his arrest or extradition plans.
A high-ranking detective at Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) corroborated these statements, asserting that no arrest had been made. The detective explained the complexities of the extradition process, emphasizing that it requires adherence to legal protocols and involvement of multiple agencies.
“They are piling pressure, but he has not been arrested as reported. The process is lengthy and cannot be done without involving other agencies. Interpol cannot arrest a Kenyan without following the law,” the investigator said.
The confusion surrounding Anjarwalla’s whereabouts and extradition mirrors previous incidents, notably involving Nnamdi Kanu, a Nigerian national arrested in Nairobi in 2021. Kenyan officials denied involvement in Kanu’s extradition to Nigeria to face terrorism charges.
Anjarwalla’s case is compounded by his dual citizenship, holding both British and Kenyan passports. His reported use of a Kenyan passport following his escape from Nigeria adds layers of legal complexity to the situation.
If apprehended, Anjarwalla could contest the extradition in court, potentially prolonging the process for months or even years.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has accused Anjarwalla and another Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, of tax evasion and money laundering.