Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday, May 29, reportedly stormed the Lagos State office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), claiming ownership of the building located at Awolowo Road in Lagos.
Channels Television reports that the DSS officials arrived the office and parked on the road leading to the EFCC office. After the EFCC officials closed from work, men of the DSS were said to have moved into the premises to prevent them from gaining access when they resumed work today, May 30.
“The DSS even parked two armored personnel carrier outside the gate and took over our premises to prevent us from entering our offices,” an official of the commission told Channels Television off-camera.
According to the report, “Our correspondent, Shola Soyele also learnt that before now there had been an ongoing rivalry between the two agencies with the DSS laying claim to the ownership of the building. The DSS was said to have thr£at£ned and stopped the EFCC in the recent past when the anti-graft commission tried to paint the walls of the building in the colours of the EFCC.”
However, reacting to the report, the DSS in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, said: “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 fi¥ht.”
📷: @channeltelevision
