Binance executive Nadeem Anjarwalla fled prison and traveled to Kenya, and his colleague will press claims in court next month.
Local press reports indicate that the Nigerian High Court has dismissed a lawsuit initiated by Binance regional manager Nadeem Anjarwalla. Anjarwalla claimed that his fundamental rights were violated by Nigerian government agencies when they detained him and confiscated his passport.
On June 19, Judge Inyang Ekwo dismissed Anjarwalla’s lawsuit against the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for “lack of diligent prosecution.” The court had not heard from any legal representatives for Anjarwalla or the respondents.
Binance executive defends His rights
A lawsuit filed by Anjarwalla on March 28 sought to declare the agencies’ actions illegal. Tonye Krukrubo, Binance’s attorney, submitted a request to withdraw from the case concurrently with the filing.
Krukrubo submitted the request to enable Anjarwalla to retain additional representation, as the Nigerian financial publication Nairametrics reported. Anjarwalla was not in attendance at the courtroom, as he had already escaped from prison and fled to Kenya by then. While Anjarwalla was required to engage new representatives, the court suspended the proceedings until June 19.
Anjarwalla contended in his lawsuit that the government agencies had contravened Sections 35 (1) and (4) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended). In the lawsuit, he said:
“The continued detention of the Applicant by the Respondents is causing immense hardship and emotional stress on the Applicant, his wife and children and other members of his family.”
This Lawsuit is part of Something Bigger
On February 26, Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, the director of financial crime compliance at Binance, were apprehended. Gambaryan had relocated to the country from the United States to assist in the company’s defense against allegations of tax evasion and money laundering.
The United States and Nigeria have been tense due to the cases against Binance.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, filed a lawsuit against the NSA and EFCC on the same grounds and separately from Anjarwalla. The hearing for Gambaryan’s complaint is scheduled for July 9. Krukrubo continues to serve as Gambaryan’s representative.
Anjarwalla is a dual citizen of Kenya and the United Kingdom. He continues to reside in Kenya while Nigeria pursues his extradition.
The suit is a component of a broader dispute. On February 26, Anjarwalla and Tigran Gambaryan, the chief of financial crime compliance at Binance, were held in custody. Gambaryan had relocated to the country from the United States to assist in the company’s defense against allegations of tax evasion and money laundering.
The United States and Nigeria have been tense due to the cases against Binance.
Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, filed a lawsuit against the NSA and EFCC on the same grounds and separately from Anjarwalla. The hearing for Gambaryan’s complaint is scheduled for July 9. Krukrubo continues to serve as Gambaryan’s representative.
Anjarwalla is a dual citizen of Kenya and the United Kingdom. He continues to reside in Kenya while Nigeria pursues his extradition.
