The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has decried the siege of its office in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, by the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren, DSS officers “barricaded the entrance with armoured personnel carriers”.
Uwajeren said court cases scheduled for hearing on Tuesday were aborted due to the siege of the DSS.
“This development is strange to the Commission given that we have cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without incident,” the EFCC spokesperson said.
“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.”
However, in a swift response to the claim, the DSS) through Peter Ifunaya, its spokesman, said the EFCC cannot contest the ownership of the building with the DSS.
“Awolowo Road was NSO headquarters. SSS/DSS started from there. It is a common knowledge. It is a historical fact. Check it out,” Ifunaya explained
Afunanya said the the DSS did not block EFCC office but rather occupied the DSS section of the building.
According to him, there is no rivalry between the two agencies of the government, as both are working for the good of the country.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“No. It is not true. The Service is only occupying its own facility where it is carrying out its official and statutory responsibility,” he concluded