There was palpable tension on Tuesday after officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the Lagos State office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), claiming ownership of the building.
The DSS officials were said have parked two armored personnel carrier outside the gate alongside a tight security team before taking over the premises of the EFCC located at No 15A Awolowo Road in Lagos thus creating fear in the area.
Truth Live News gathered that anonymous sources, who spoke with Channels Television disclosed that the DSS officials arrived in Lagos on Monday and parked on the road leading to the EFCC office.
Despite their presence, 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 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 source said.
An official of the EFCC also confirmed the development.
It was learnt 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.
Meanwhile, reacting to the development, the DSS insisted that it is only occupying its own facility where it is carrying out its official and statutory responsibility.
In a statement signed by DSS Public Relations Officer, Afunanya, he claimed that it is not correct that its 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.”
On the other hand, EFCC condemned DSS’ Siege on its Lagos Office, describing it as shocking.
In a statement signed by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren dated May 30, 2023, the antigraft agency disclosed that its officials 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.”