Nitin Sandesara, owner of Sterling Biotech based in Gujarat and wanted by the CBI and the ED in Rs 5000 crore bank fraud, may be in Nigeria say media reports. Interestingly, just a month back there were reports that Nitin Sandesara was detained in Dubai.

A report in The Times of India reported that sources have said Sandesara has fled from the UAE.

Sandesara and his other family members are also believed to be hiding in Nigeria. His brother Chetan and sister-in-law Diptiben Sandesara are also in Nigeria, said reports. Mehul Choksi, Accused in PNB Fraud Case, Claims Threat to Life Due to Mob Lynching Trend in India.

What makes matters complicated for Indian agencies is that India has no extradition treaty with Nigeria. Due to a lack of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with Nigeria, it would be really difficult task for India to get back the Sandesara and family members back for investigation. Mehul Choksi 'Mastermind' Behind the Behemoth PNB Scam, Says ED ChargeSheet.

An officer was quoted by the paper on the condition of anonymity, saying that the initial reports of Nitin Sandesara being detained by UAE authorities in Dubai was incorrect and false. PNB Reports Massive Rs 13,417 Crore Loss in Q4 FY18, Post Being Hit By Nirav Modi Scam.

The officer added that the family was never arrested in Dubai and that they might have fled to Nigeria much before the date of reports of them being arrested was reported. Red Corner Notice Against Nirav Modi Issued By Interpol In PNB Fraud Case.

However, the investigative agencies are reportedly sending a request to UAE to detain the family in case they are spotted there.

Along with Nitin Sandesara and his family members, the CBI and the ED have also booked Vilas Joshi, Rajbhusan Omprakash Dixit and Chartered Accountant (CA) Hemant Hathi, a former Andhra Bank director named Anup Garg has also been named for cheating banks over 5,000 crores.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2018 01:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).