Nigeria’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has reportedly intervened to prevent the arrest and prosecution of Mudashiru Obasa, the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, over an ongoing multibillion-naira fraud investigation.
According to sources within the presidency, anti-corruption officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were prepared to detain Obasa upon his return to Nigeria. However, reports from The Gazette suggest that Mrs. Tinubu instructed that the move be halted, citing the need to maintain political stability within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State.
A presidency insider, who spoke anonymously, revealed that Mrs. Tinubu believes Obasa remains politically valuable, particularly in Agege and Alimosho, two key voting blocs in Lagos State.
“She said he’s useful to them in Agege and its environs, and they don’t want an immediate crack in their ranks now. She told them to continue investigating him but to hold off on making an arrest for now,” the source stated.
Obasa was impeached on January 13 over allegations of budgetary fraud and corruption but continues to wield strong political influence. His support base in Lagos is seen as critical to President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, with sources indicating that his arrest at this time could destabilize the APC’s structure in the state.
The EFCC has been investigating Obasa since 2020, following allegations of illicit asset acquisitions and mismanagement of public funds. While no charges were filed at the time, his recent impeachment was reportedly linked to fresh accusations of budgetary misappropriation, making him a renewed target for prosecution.
However, according to EFCC insiders, a final directive from the presidency was required before taking action against the former Speaker. That order never came, reinforcing suspicions of high-level political interference.
Despite the ongoing allegations, Obasa recently returned to Nigeria from the U.S., receiving a heroic welcome from his supporters. Addressing the media at a press conference, he dismissed the corruption accusations as politically motivated, maintaining that his impeachment was unconstitutional.
“If you want to claim that I’m corrupt, please prove it—let us see the evidence,” Obasa challenged his critics.
The political importance of Agege and Alimosho in Lagos State cannot be overstated. During the 2023 general elections, President Tinubu lost Alimosho to the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, who secured 71,327 votes, while Tinubu managed 62,909 votes.
With the 2027 elections on the horizon, Tinubu’s camp is reportedly keen on reinforcing APC’s grip on Lagos, making figures like Obasa a strategic asset despite the corruption allegations surrounding him.
Obasa’s case highlights the intersection of politics and anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. While the EFCC remains committed to investigating financial crimes, the alleged intervention by First Lady Remi Tinubu underscores the political calculations that often influence high-profile corruption cases.
Whether the former Speaker will eventually face prosecution remains uncertain, but for now, party loyalty appears to outweigh legal accountability within the APC’s power structure in Lagos State.
