….It is not correct to say DSS barricaded EFCC from Access its office -DSS Spokesman
Attah Ede Makurdi
Men of the Department of State Services (DSS), on Tuesday, caused panic at the Lagos State office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) thereby preventing officials of the anti graft agency from gaining access to their respective offices.
The Network gathered that the DSS operatives had on Monday, arrived in Lagos and parked on the road leading to the EFCC office and at about 7 am on Tuesday.
They were said to have stormed the premises of the EFCC located at No 15A Awolowo Road in Lagos claiming ownership of the building.
It was further gathered that EFCC staff were said to have gone about their work peacefully thinking that the DSS operatives were there to maintain peace for the inauguration which was held yesterday (Monday).
However, the EFCC officials closed from work, only to discovered that the DSS officials moved into the premises to prevent them from gaining access as they resumed work today(Tuesday).
The DSS however mounted two armored personnel carrier(APC) outside the gate and took over premises to prevent the EFCC officials from entering their offices.
A source told our correspondent that, before now there had been an ongoing rivalry between the two agencies with the DSS laying claim to the ownership of the building.
The DSS was said to have threatened and stopped the EFCC in the recent past when the anti-graft commission tried to paint the walls of the building in the colours of the EFCC.
DSS’ Siege on Our Lagos Office Shocking – EFCC
Reacting to this development, EFCC said that the DSS siege on their office in Lagos is shocking, saying the operatives of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrived at their office on No. 15 Awolwo Road, Ikoyi, this morning, May 30, 2023, to be denied entry by agents of the Department of State Services, DSS, who had barricaded the entrance with armoured personnel carriers.
The Efcc spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren in a statement issued and made available to newsmen in Abuja, said the development is strange to the Commission given that they have cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without incident.
“By denying operatives access to their offices, the Commission’s operations at its largest hub with over 500 personnel, hundreds of exhibits, and many suspects in detention have been disrupted.
“Cases scheduled for court hearing today have been aborted, while many suspects who had been invited for questioning are left unattended. Even more alarming is that suspects in detention are left without care with grave implications for their rights as inmates.
“All of these have wilder implications for the nation’s fight against economic and financial crimes.
“The siege is inconsistent with the synergy expected of agencies working for the same government and nation, especially when there are ongoing discussions on the matter”, he stated.
Meanwhile, in its reaction, the DSS said it is only occupying its own facility where it is carrying out its official and statutory responsibility,.
The Public Relations Officer for DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said that it is not correct to say that the DSS barricaded EFCC from entering its office.
“No. It is not true. The Service is only occupying its own facility where it is carrying out its official and statutory responsibility.
Parts of the statement read: “By the way, there is no controversy over No 15A Awolowo Road as being insinuated by the Media. Did the EFCC tell you it is contesting the ownership of the building? I will be surprised if it is contesting the ownership.
“Awolowo Road was NSO headquarters. SSS/DSS started from there. It is a common knowledge. It is a historical fact. Check it out.
“There is no rivalry between the Service and the EFCC over and about anything. Please do not create any imaginary one. They are great partners working for the good of the nation. Dismiss any falsehood of a fight.”
