Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN): The Legal Architect Driving Nigeria’s Growing Asset Recovery Framework – By Michael Ojo

According to Ireporter Online, Rotimi Oyedepo Iseoluwa (SAN) has emerged as a central figure in Nigeria’s efforts to combat financial crimes and expand asset recovery mechanisms. A veteran prosecutor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Oyedepo has built a career handling some of the country’s most complex and high-profile corruption cases, spanning money laundering, abuse of office, and large-scale asset forfeiture.

Over nearly two decades, Oyedepo rose to the position of Director at the EFCC, earning a reputation for navigating intricate financial trails and leading multi-agency investigations. His elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2022 underscored his professional achievements and significant contributions to Nigeria’s legal landscape, particularly in financial crimes litigation.

Central to his legacy is the advancement of Non-Conviction-Based Forfeiture (NCBF), a legal framework enabling the state to recover proceeds of crime without a criminal conviction. His work in securing a Supreme Court affirmation of NCBF has enabled the recovery of billions of naira and millions of dollars in assets, including luxury properties, funds linked to former high-ranking officials, and exotic jewellery valued at about $40 million connected to former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke. Oyedepo’s prosecutorial reach also extends to crude oil cargoes, illegally mined gold, and other complex financial schemes.

Beyond domestic litigation, he has contributed to landmark international cases such as the P&ID arbitration, a dispute that highlighted vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s public contracting processes and financial governance. In October 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Oyedepo as Special Assistant on Financial Crimes and Public Prosecution Compliance at the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, a role focused on strategic coordination, policy alignment, and inter-agency compliance.

Educated at the University of Ilorin and called to the Bar in 2008, Oyedepo has received multiple accolades, including EFCC Outstanding Staff of the Year and Best Financial Crimes Prosecutor. He is an active member of several professional legal associations and is widely recognized as an authority on asset forfeiture and financial crimes litigation.

Outside the courtroom, Oyedepo is committed to family and faith. He is married with four children and serves as an Assistant Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God. As Nigeria continues to strengthen its anti-corruption framework, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, remains at the forefront of efforts to recover illicit assets and institutionalize effective financial crime enforcement.