The Department of State Security(DSS) Tuesday morning, stormed the Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and prevented officials from entering or going out of the office .
A source at the EFCC told Cornerstones that though there has been contention between the DSS and the EFCC over the ownership of the building, but the case is not yet in Court .
According to the source, the office was used by the DSS before it was handed over to the EFCC.
It was gathered that the DSS operatives arrived the office around 7:00 am and refused to leave despite dialogue between operatives of the agencies.
The Spokesman of the the EFCC, Mr .Wilson Uwujaren of the EFCC could not pick his calls to respond to the issue, but an official of the EFCC who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said,“there has been serious contention between us and the DSS over who owns the office because the office was used by them before the EFCC came on board and it was handed over to us.The matter is not in court but there is no need for this behaviour by the DSS”
However, the DSS has reacted that it has no issues with the EFCC over the ownership of the house.
In a statement by the DSS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Peter Afunanya, he stated that ,”the attention of the 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.
