By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
NIGERIANS woke up on Tuesday to be greeted with screaming headlines that operatives of the Department for State Services (DSS) have laid siege on the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos, Nigeria.
This is coming less than 24 hours President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice took oaths of office at the Eagle Square, Abuja, Lagos.
In what EFCC described as a “shocking” development, the DSS , through its Public Relations Officer, National Headquarters, Abuja, Peter Afunanya PhD, swiftly mounted a defence denying the allegation.
The EFCC, confirming the siege in a statement titled “DSS’ Siege on Our Lagos Office Shocking – EFCC,” issued by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Head, Media & Publicity, gave details of how its men were prevented from accessing their office in Lagos.
Here Uwujaren: “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 wider 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.”
Responding to the allegation of laying siege, the DSS, through its PRO, Peter Afunanya PhD, in a statement titled: DSS not in Fight with EFCC over Lagos Property,” denied barricading and laying siege at EFCC office.
“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to some media reports that it barricaded the EFCC from entering its Lagos office. 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.”
