EFCC to arraign Binance executives Gambaryan, Nadeem Anjarwalla Thursday – Newstrends
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EFCC to arraign Binance executives Gambaryan, Nadeem Anjarwalla Thursday

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Gambaryan, Nadeem Anjarwalla

EFCC to arraign Binance executives Gambaryan, Nadeem Anjarwalla Thursday

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will, on Thursday, arraign Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, two top officials of Binance Holdings Ltd, on five counts of money laundering charges.

It was gathered on Tuesday that Binance, Mr Gambaryan and Mr Anjarwalla, who escaped from lawful custody on March 22 and fled Nigeria, will be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

The crypto exchange firm and Messrs Gambaryan and Anjarwalla are listed as the first to third defendants, respectively. But Mr Anjarwalla, who the EFCC describes as “at large” in the counts, is expected to be arraigned in absentia.

The anti-graft agency filed a charge on March 28, accusing the trio of money laundering totalling $35,400,000.

Count one accused the defendants between January 2023 and January 2024 in Abuja of carrying on the specialised business of other financial institutions without a valid licence.

The offence is said to be contrary to sections 57(1) and (2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020 and punishable under section 57(5) of the same act.

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Also, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) will arraign Binance Holdings Limited, Mr Gambaryan, and fleeing Mr Anjarwalla on April 4 on allegations bordering on tax evasion.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, the three defendants will equally be arraigned before Justice Nwite on four counts.

Though the FHC’s Easter vacation, which began on March 22, will end on April 8, the chief judge of FHC, Justice John Tsoho, directed the transfer of the Binance case file to Justice Nwite, even though he is not a vacation judge.

The chief judge granted the fiat for the judge to handle the case during vacation because it concerns dire national interest.

The FIRS charged and filed the charge on March 22, claiming the defendants committed the offence on or about February 1.

Count one alleged that while carrying and offering services to subscribers on their platform, Binance, they failed to register with the FIRS to pay all relevant taxes administered by the service.

The offences are said to be punishable under sections 8 and 29 of the VAT Act of 1993 (as Amended), section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act, 2007 (as amended) and under provisions of section 94 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended), respectively.

The two cases were fixed for Thursday to allow for accelerated hearing.

EFCC to arraign Binance executives Gambaryan, Nadeem Anjarwalla Thursday

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I’m alive, Obasanjo reacts to death rumour 

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I’m alive, Obasanjo reacts to death rumour 

 

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said he is alive, hale and hearty.

He stated this in reaction to rumours of his death being reportedly spread on some social media platforms.

He spoke in Osogbo, Osun State, during the inauguration of the Old-Garage/Oke-Fia Road reconstructed by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Obasanjo said those who wanted him dead were spreading the rumour of his death on the social media.

He said, “I heard the rumour that I was dead. I saw it on the social media. I quickly told my children and my relations that it was not true and that I’m alive.

“Those that want me dead, that is their wish, but God still keeps me alive.”

Obasanjo praised Adeleke for his performance in Osun and charged the governor to keep up the work.

Governor Adeleke assured the people of the state that his administration would complete all the ongoing projects.

“My dear people of Osun State, our administration has constructed over 120 kilometres of roads across the state.

“Two major flyovers are also progressing to completion at Osogbo while work is progressing at the Ile Ife Flyover and Ilesa dualisation.”

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Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit

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Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit

 

President Bola Tinubu will travel to France today (Wednesday) for a three-day state visit at the instance of the French president.

A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this.

It said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”

Onanuga said Tinubu and Macron would harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.

“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication,” he added.

“They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.”

The presidential adviser stated that the Nigerian first lady and her French counterpart would discuss solutions for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope initiative.

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Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers

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Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers

 

A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.

Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.

The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.

He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.

This is  coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.

The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.

It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.

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