By Abdullahi Ahmad Bamalli
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has raised the alarm over the department of security services’ (DSS) siege of its Lagos office, claiming that the intervention was a threat to the country’s fight against economic and financial crimes.
The anti-graft agency disclosed that DSS operatives laid siege to the Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos office, blocking its agents from entering the facility.
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According to a post on its verified social media handles on Tuesday morning, EFCC said the operatives of its Lagos Command arrived at their office on No. 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, on Tuesday morning, to be denied entry by agents of the Department of State Services, 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,” EFCC stated.
However, reacting to the accusation, the DSS denied the allegations in a statement signed by Peter Afunanya on Tuesday.
The statement reads in part “It is not correct that the DSS barricaded EFCC from entering its office. No. It is not true. There is no controversy over No 15A Awolowo Road as being insinuated by the Media”
“There is no rivalry between the Service and the EFCC over 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”, the statement added.
