President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), as the new Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Federal Ministry of Justice. The appointment is seen as part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen the country’s justice system and improve the handling of major criminal cases involving the Federal Government.
The appointment was confirmed in a letter dated December 23, signed by Omolabake Mafe on behalf of the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission. According to the letter, Oyedepo’s transfer from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the mainstream Federal Civil Service was approved in the public interest.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, it was explained that Oyedepo will take over from the current Director of Public Prosecutions, Abubakar Babadoko. Babadoko is expected to retire on December 31, 2025, after completing the mandatory eight years in the position.
The Presidency said the appointment was made to ensure continuity and stability in the prosecution of federal cases, especially as the government continues its fight against corruption, economic crimes, and other serious offences.
The Director of Public Prosecutions plays a key role in Nigeria’s legal system. The office is responsible for supervising criminal prosecutions on behalf of the Federal Government. The DPP also provides legal advice to government agencies and ensures that criminal cases are handled in line with the law and public interest.
By appointing Oyedepo, the Tinubu administration is placing a career prosecutor with strong experience in economic and financial crimes at the head of federal prosecutions.
According to the statement from the Presidency, Oyedepo is a 2007 law graduate of the University of Ilorin. He attended the Nigerian Law School in 2008 and was later called to the Bar. Over the years, he has built a reputation as a committed and skilled prosecutor.
Before his appointment as DPP, Oyedepo worked at the EFCC for more than 15 years. During his time at the anti-graft agency, he specialised in the prosecution of complex economic and financial crimes. These include high-profile cases involving fraud, money laundering, and corruption.
He also served as the Head of the Monitoring Unit at the EFCC, a role that involved overseeing major prosecutions and ensuring compliance with legal procedures. His long service at the commission exposed him to some of Nigeria’s most challenging criminal cases.
One of the major highlights of Oyedepo’s career was his role in the legal team that represented the Federal Government in the landmark case of Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) versus the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The case, which involved a disputed gas contract, initially led to a massive arbitration award against Nigeria.
The Federal Government later challenged the award, arguing that the contract was obtained through fraud. The case attracted global attention and was widely seen as a test of Nigeria’s ability to defend itself in complex international legal disputes. Oyedepo’s involvement in the case added to his profile as a seasoned legal expert.
His work at the EFCC also earned him several awards. In 2014, he was named the EFCC Outstanding Staff of the Year. In 2019, he received the Best Financial Crimes Prosecutor award, in recognition of his performance in handling difficult and sensitive cases.
The Presidency said Oyedepo is expected to use his experience to reduce the Federal Government’s reliance on external lawyers for important criminal prosecutions. In recent years, the government has often hired private lawyers to handle major cases, leading to high legal costs.
By strengthening the internal capacity of the Ministry of Justice, the government hopes to save costs and ensure better coordination in legal strategies. The statement said Oyedepo would also work to promote greater coherence and consistency in the Federal Government’s approach to prosecutions.
The appointment comes at a time when the Tinubu administration has made the fight against corruption a key part of its agenda. The government has repeatedly promised to strengthen institutions and ensure that those accused of corruption are properly prosecuted.
However, challenges remain in Nigeria’s justice system, including delays in trials, overcrowded courts, and limited resources. Observers say the new DPP will need strong support and cooperation from other agencies to succeed.
As Oyedepo prepares to take over the office, expectations are high that his experience, discipline, and professional record will bring fresh energy to federal prosecutions.