By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed displeasure over the bombardment of its Lagos State Office by the operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS).
The anti-corruption agency says the siege on Tuesday undermines the fight against graft in the West African country battling official corruption amidst growing poverty and terrorism threats.
“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”, the commission said in a statement signed by its Director Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren.
The commission says both organizations are working for the same country and government, and that the siege on its Lagos office located at No 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi on Tuesday morning is unjustified.
“This development is strange to the Commission given that we have cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without incident”, it says.
Uwujaren said further, “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.”
Officials of EFCC were allegedly barred from accessing their office.
DSS, Nigeria’s foremost intelligence agency is yet to offer explanation on the invasion.
