Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has reportedly stepped in to protect impeached Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Obasa from arrest and prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Sources revealed that Remi instructed anti-graft agents to hold off on Mr Obasa’s arrest to prevent divisions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos.
Previously, EFCC insiders told The Gazette that a strong corruption case had been built against Mr Obasa, with investigators prepared to take action upon his return to Nigeria.
Authorities have been investigating the Lagos politician since at least 2020, when he was questioned over multiple reports by The Gazette and Sahara Reporters linking him to financial misconduct and the acquisition of illicit assets. Though he was not charged at the time, his recent impeachment on January 13—following a budgetary scandal exposed by The Gazette—renewed calls for a probe, with EFCC officials believing they could now proceed without political interference.
Despite these allegations, Mr. Obasa made a bold return from the U.S. last week, receiving a warm welcome from supporters in Lagos. He appeared unfazed by the corruption claims, even holding a press conference where he denounced his impeachment as illegal and lacking due process.
Presidency sources told The Gazette that Mr. Obasa’s “secret weapon” was First Lady Remi Tinubu, who personally intervened to halt EFCC action against him.
Mrs. Tinubu reportedly blocked anti-graft agents after recognizing Mr. Obasa’s strong political influence in key Lagos strongholds such as Agege and Alimosho—major voting blocs that could significantly impact future elections.
She argued that Mr. Obasa’s political clout in these areas would be crucial for her husband’s re-election bid in 2027, urging anti-corruption officials to delay any action against him to maintain party unity.
“She said he’s useful to them in Agege and environs and they don’t want an immediate crack in their ranks now,” a presidency official said under anonymity to discuss the matter. “She said they should continue their investigation but hold off now on touching him because he’s useful to the party.”
According to EFCC sources, Mrs. Tinubu’s questionable participation had an immediate effect because they did not receive the expected signal from the presidency to take action against Mr. Obasa.
The political ties of the ruling party have always hampered Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies, which frequently wait for high-level approvals before filing criminal charges against dishonest politicians, even when there is ample proof and the case is past due.
Mr Obasa declined comments when reached by The Gazette on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, but he had repeatedly denied all allegations of corruption, blamed his political opponents for his ordeal and said all actions leading to his removal as Lagos Speaker were illegal.
Peter Obi of the Labour Party received 71,327 votes in the Alimosho region, defeating Bola Tinubu, who received 62,909 votes in the most recent 2023 elections.
When asked why she requested that Mr Obasa be exonerated, Mrs Tinubu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A similar inquiry on whether it was customary for the First Lady to interfere in matters outside of her office was not answered by the State House.
A request for a response from the EFCC was also not immediately answered.