The operatives of Nigeria’s Anti-graft Agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has described as shocking, the siege on their office by the country’s secret police, the Department of state Service, DSS.
In a press statement by EFCC’S spokesperson Mr. Wilson Uwujaren said, “the operatives of Lagos Command of the commission arrived at their office on No. 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, this morning, May 30, 2023, only to be denied entry by agents of the Department of State Services, DSS, who had barricaded the entrance with armoured personnel carriers.”
The commission described the development as strang, given that the commission cohabited with the DSS in that facility for 20 years without any challenge.
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.”
Grave Implications
“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.” Uwujaren said.
The EFCC said, siege was inconsistent with the synergy expected of agencies working for the same government and nation, especially when there are ongoing discussions on the matter.
He said the development has wilder implications for the nation’s fight against economic and financial crimes.
Lateefah Ibrahim
