Officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) have stormed the Lagos State office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), claiming ownership of the building located at No 15A Awolowo Road in Lagos.
Sources, who did not want their name in print told Channels Television that the DSS officials arrived in Lagos on Monday and parked on the road leading to the EFCC office.
EFCC staff was said to have gone about their work peacefully thinking that the DSS operatives were there to maintain peace for the inauguration which was held on Monday.
After the EFCC officials closed from work, men of the DSS were said to have moved into the premises to prevent them from gaining access when they resumed work today.
The DSS even parked two armored personnel carrier outside the gate and took over our premises to prevent us from entering our offices,” an official of the commission told Channels Television off-camera.
Our correspondent, Shola Soyele also learnt 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.
As of the time of filing this report, the officials of the EFCC could be seen milling outside their offices with the DSS still firmly in charge of their locked premises.
DSS Reacts
In its reaction, the DSS said it is only occupying its own facility where it is carrying out its official and statutory responsibility.
Read DSS Full Statement:
It is not correct 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.
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.
Peter Afunanya PhD fsi
PRO-DSS
Read EFCC Full Statement:
DSS’ Siege on Our Lagos Office Shocking – EFCC
The operatives of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrived at their office on No. 15 Awolowo 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.
This development is strange to the Commission given that we 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.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
30/05/2023
