Drama as DSS, EFCC “Clash” in Lagos over Property Ownership

Ilesanmi AdekanbiMay 30, 2023

1 minute read

The Department of State Services (DSS) has refuted media reports that it barricaded the Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday morning over a property dispute.

According to some media reports, the EFCC officials were denied entry into their office at No 15A Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, by DSS operatives who blocked the entrance with armoured personnel carriers.

The reports claimed that the feud was caused by a rivalry between the two agencies over the ownership of the building.

However, the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, told our correspondent that the reports were false and misleading.

He said that the DSS was only occupying its own facility where it was carrying out its official and statutory responsibility.

He also clarified that there was no controversy over the ownership of the building, which he said was formerly the headquarters of the National Security Organisation (NSO), the precursor of the DSS.

He said that the DSS had been operating from there since its inception and that it was a common knowledge and a historical fact.

He added that there was no rivalry or fight between the DSS and the EFCC over anything and that they were great partners working for the good of the nation.

On his part, the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, described the development as “strange”, saying that the two agencies had lived together within the facility for over 20 years without any incident.

He said that he was surprised by the action of the DSS operatives who prevented them from accessing their office.

He said that he could not comment on the ownership of the building as he was not aware of any dispute over it. He said that he hoped that the matter would be resolved amicably and soon.