The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has reacted, following the invasion of its Lagos office by the personnel of the Department of State Security Services.

A mild drama ensued at the EFCC office in Lagos after the operatives of the DSS prevented the officials of the anti-graft agency from accessing their offices.

The conflict was allegedly said to be about the ownership of the building on 15A Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, which both agencies share.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya PhD fsi, titled: “DSS NOT IN A FIGHT WITH EFCC OVER LAGOS PROPERTY”, it was explained that the DSS was only occupying its facility where it carries out its duties.

However, EFCC had described the siege laid on its Lagos office by the DSSS, who had barricaded the entrance with armoured personnel carriers, as shocking

In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, the commission said the development is strange to the commission, noting that both agencies have cohabited in that facility for 20 years without incident.

Uwujaren explained that operatives of the Lagos Command of EFCC arrived at their office on No.15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, this morning, May 30, 2023, to be denied entry by agents of the Department of State Security 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,” Uwujaren 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,” Uwujaren wrote.