Nigeria continues its legal battle with Binance. The government is seeking the return of British-Kenyan national Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped custody in March.

Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa, and US citizen Tigran Gambaryan were detained in February 2024. They had travelled to Nigeria to discuss allegations that Binance’s operations had contributed to the depreciation of the naira, Blockhead reported.

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) later charged the exchange and its executives with five counts of money laundering.

Nigeria Pursues Anjarwalla, Releases Gambaryan on Health

Anjarwalla fled to Kenya while his UK passport remained in Nigerian custody. Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, said authorities, along with Interpol, are working to bring him back. “Nadeem Anjarwalla actually did escape lawful custody, and this is against our laws,” Idris said.

Gambaryan remained in detention for eight months before a Nigerian court dropped the charges against him on humanitarian grounds. Reports indicate he suffered from malaria, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and complications from a herniated disk, leaving him reliant on a wheelchair. Authorities stated he required medical treatment outside Nigeria.

Nigeria Defends Charges, Binance CEO Objects

Binance CEO Richard Teng has criticized the government’s actions, calling them unjustified. He said the exchange tried to cooperate but faced resistance. Minister Idris rejected this claim, arguing that other crypto firms operating in Nigeria had not encountered similar legal issues.

“There are other companies operating in the crypto sector in Nigeria, you don’t see them [facing charges],” he said. “The government is out to protect investors, not to cripple anybody.”