President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given his official approval for the appointment of a seasoned legal expert to a top position within the nation's justice system.
A New Head for Federal Prosecutions
Mr. Rotimi Iseoluwa Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is now the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice. This move follows his formal transfer from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the core Federal Civil Service.
The approval was communicated via a letter dated December 23, 2025, signed by Omolabake Mafe on behalf of the Federal Civil Service Commission's Chairman. The letter stated the appointment was made in the public interest.
Filling a Key Vacancy
According to a statement from the Presidency's Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, Oyedepo's appointment fills the imminent vacancy created by the retirement of the outgoing DPP, Mr. Abubakar Babadoko. Babadoko is set to complete his mandatory eight-year tenure as a director on December 31, 2025.
The new Director of Public Prosecutions is a 2007 law graduate of the University of Ilorin and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2008. He brings a wealth of over 15 years of specialized prosecutorial experience to this critical role.
Extensive Track Record from EFCC
Mr. Oyedepo built his formidable reputation during a long and distinguished career at the EFCC. There, he specialized in prosecuting intricate economic and financial crimes, eventually rising to lead the Commission's Monitoring Unit.
His expertise was also deployed on the international stage. He served as a key member of the Federal Government's legal team in the high-stakes Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) vs. Nigeria arbitration case, one of the most significant international legal battles the country has faced.
His professional excellence has been recognized with awards, including the EFCC Outstanding Staff of the Year Award in 2014 and the Best Financial Crimes Prosecutor Award in 2019.
Goals for the Justice Sector
The Presidency's statement outlines clear expectations for the new DPP. He is tasked with leveraging his expertise to:
- Strengthen the quality and coordination of federal prosecutions.
- Reduce the government's reliance on external counsel for high-profile cases.
- Ensure greater coherence and consistency in the Federal Government's overall legal strategies.
This appointment by President Tinubu is framed as a strategic move to reinforce the capacity of vital justice sector institutions. It underscores the administration's commitment to enhancing the effectiveness and professionalism of the federal prosecution framework.
