We did not close the office of the EFCC – DSS

The Department of State Security Service (DSS) has refuted reports making the rounds that its officials closed the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over ownership of the premises.

Reports on Tuesday morning stated that the armed men of the DSS stormed and barricaded the Ikoyi premises of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, preventing its officials from going into the office.

Reacting to the report in a statement, the Public Relations Officer, Department of State Services, Peter Afunanya, faulted the report, stating that DSS was only occupying its “facility where it is carrying out its official and statutory responsibility”.

He said: “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to some media reports that it barricaded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from entering its Lagos office. It is not correct that the DSS barred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission 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 responsibilities.

“By the way, there is no controversy over No. 15A Awolowo Road as insinuated by the media.” Did the EFCC tell you it is contesting the ownership of the building? I will be surprised if it contests ownership. Awolowo Road was NSO headquarters. SSS/DSS started from there. It is common knowledge. It is a historical fact. Check it out.

He therefore advised the general public to jettison the false report, noting that the DSS was never in a feud with the EFCC.

“There is no rivalry between the Service and the EFCC over and about anything. Please do not create any imaginary ones. They are great partners working for the good of the nation. Dismiss any falsehood of a fight,” he stated.