SSS Explains why they blocked EFCC officials from their Lagos office, Shocking Agency says

30 May SSS Explains why they blocked EFCC officials from their Lagos office, Shocking Agency says

The Department of State Services (DSS) has explained why its operatives stormed and occupied the Ikoyi, Lagos State office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement, DSS spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said the building belongs to the DSS and not the EFCC.

“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 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”.

Officials of the State Security Service (SSS) Tuesday morning prevented officials of the anti-graft agency, EFCC, from gaining access to the latter’s Lagos headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The building on 15A Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. serves as the Lagos head office of the EFCC. The office is headed by the zonal head of the EFCC in Lagos.

It is separate from the EFCC office in Okotie-Eboh, also in Ikoyi, which also houses the agency’s detention centre in Lagos.

The EFCC in a statement said its operatives arrived at the office and were denied entry into their building, Wilson Uwujaren, the spokesperson of the anti-graft agency said on Tuesday.

“This development is strange to the Commission given that we have cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without incident,” the statement reads.

“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.”

The EFCC said the development has disrupted their plans for the day.

“Cases scheduled for court hearing today have been aborted, while many suspects who had been invited for questioning are left unattended,” the spokesperson said.

“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.”