Biography of Oyedepo Rotimi: The Prosecutor Appointed by Tinubu to Lead Nigeria’s Criminal Accountability

Biography of Oyedepo Rotimi, The Prosecutor to Lead Nigeria’s Criminal Accountability.

 

Abuja — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Oyedepo Rotimi as Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) marked a pivotal shift in Nigeria’s criminal justice leadership. The decision moved a career prosecutor from the frontlines of high-stakes litigation into the institutional command center of federal criminal prosecution.

At 42, Mr Oyedepo assumes the role at a defining moment for Nigeria’s legal and anti-corruption architecture, as the federal government seeks to strengthen accountability, asset recovery, and prosecutorial coherence across agencies.

Appointment as Director of Public Prosecutions

Ejes Gist News reports that Mr Oyedepo was appointed DPPF on Tuesday, replacing Abubakar Babadoko, who retired after completing the mandatory eight-year tenure as a director in the federal civil service.

As DPPF, Mr Oyedepo now serves as the chief prosecuting officer of the federation, operating directly under the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF). The position places him at the center of decisions that determine how criminal laws are enforced by the Nigerian state.

Mandate and Responsibilities of the DPPF

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation plays a central role in Nigeria’s justice system. Its core responsibilities include:

• Supervising criminal prosecutions initiated by federal agencies
• Advising the federal government on prosecutorial decisions
• Representing the state in criminal appeals
• Coordinating with State Directors of Public Prosecutions
• Supporting international criminal cooperation and mutual legal assistance

 

Also Read : Court Orders Remand of Abubakar Malami, Son, 1 Other in Kuje over Alleged Money Laundering

Mr Oyedepo’s elevation reflects a transition from courtroom advocacy to institutional leadership, with oversight over the entire federal prosecution framework.

Early Career and Legal Education

Born in 1983, Oyedepo Rotimi studied Law at the University of Ilorin, where he graduated in 2007. He attended the Nigerian Law School in 2008 and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar.

From the outset of his career, Mr Oyedepo focused almost exclusively on prosecution, building technical depth in criminal litigation rather than private practice.

Career at the EFCC

Before his appointment as DPPF, Mr Oyedepo spent over 15 years at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where he rose through the ranks to become a director.

At the EFCC, he developed a reputation as a specialist prosecutor in complex economic and financial crimes. His case portfolio included:

• Money laundering
• Abuse of office
• Oil theft
• Large-scale asset recovery
• Politically sensitive corruption cases

He handled matters involving senior public officials, politically exposed persons, and corporate executives, operating in some of Nigeria’s most legally and politically charged prosecutions.

Leadership in Asset Forfeiture Litigation

A defining feature of Mr Oyedepo’s prosecutorial career has been his work on asset forfeiture, particularly Non-Conviction-Based Forfeiture (NCBF).

NCBF is a civil legal mechanism that allows the government to recover assets suspected to be proceeds of crime without securing a prior criminal conviction. The tool is grounded in the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act and has become one of the most impactful—and debated—components of Nigeria’s anti-corruption strategy.

Mr Oyedepo was part of the EFCC prosecutorial team involved in the landmark case that led the Supreme Court to affirm the constitutionality of non-conviction-based forfeiture. The ruling, delivered in a case involving $8.4 million linked to former First Lady Patience Jonathan, strengthened the legal foundation of Nigeria’s asset recovery framework.

High-Value Forfeiture Cases

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, courts ordered the forfeiture of assets worth billions of naira and millions of dollars in cases prosecuted or coordinated by teams Mr Oyedepo belonged to.

These assets included:

• Jewellery valued at approximately $40 million linked to former petroleum minister Diezani Alison-Madueke
• Funds traced to Patience Jonathan
• $43.4 million and luxury properties in Ikoyi, Lagos
• A 753-unit housing estate in Abuja linked to former Central Bank governor Godwin Emefiele

Several of these forfeiture actions generated legal disputes, with affected parties challenging the processes on grounds of fair hearing and service of court documents. The EFCC has consistently maintained that all forfeitures were executed pursuant to valid court orders, placing the cases at the heart of national debates on due process and asset recovery.

Prosecution of High-Profile Corruption Cases

Beyond asset recovery, Mr Oyedepo prosecuted numerous high-profile corruption cases involving senior government officials and corporate actors. His prosecutorial work included cases linked to Godwin Emefiele, among others, reinforcing his standing as one of Nigeria’s most experienced financial crimes prosecutors.

Role in the P&ID Arbitration Case

Mr Oyedepo’s influence extended beyond domestic courts. He was a key member of Nigeria’s legal team in the Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) arbitration dispute.

The case initially exposed Nigeria to a potential arbitral liability of about $11 billion. In October 2023, the English High Court set aside the award after finding that it was procured through fraud. The Tinubu administration described the ruling as sparing Nigeria from a potentially crippling financial obligation.

Appointment in the Office of the AGF

Prior to becoming DPPF, Mr Oyedepo served as Special Assistant on Financial Crimes and Public Prosecution Compliance in the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. He was appointed to that role by President Tinubu in October 2023.

In that capacity, he worked closely with the AGF to coordinate anti-corruption reforms, improve inter-agency compliance, and strengthen prosecutorial effectiveness across federal institutions.

Professional Recognition

In 2022, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee conferred on Mr Oyedepo the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), citing sustained courtroom excellence and impact in financial crimes litigation.

 

Jada Pollock Biography, Net Worth, Wiki, Real Name, Husband, Wizkid Manager

His other professional recognitions include:

• EFCC Outstanding Staff of the Year (2014)
• Best Financial Crimes Prosecutor (2019)

Professional Affiliations

Mr Oyedepo holds membership in several professional bodies, including:

• Nigerian Bar Association
• International Bar Association
• African Bar Association
• International Association of Prosecutors

Personal Life

Outside his official duties, Mr Oyedepo serves as an Assistant Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He is married to Victoria Rotimi-Oyedepo, and the couple has four children.

Strategic Importance of His Appointment

Mr Oyedepo’s appointment as Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation positions him at a strategic intersection of law, governance, and accountability. With decades of prosecutorial experience and deep familiarity with Nigeria’s anti-corruption machinery, his leadership is expected to shape how the federal government pursues criminal justice, asset recovery, and institutional credibility going forward.