The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has condemned the barricade of its Lagos office by the Department of State Services (DSS).
It described the development as “strange” adding that the lock out has affected the Commission’s operations at its largest hub with over 500 personnel, hundreds of critical exhibits and many suspects in detention.
EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, warned in a statement that the siege has left suspects in detention without care with grave implications.
It said its cases scheduled for hearing in court in Lagos on Tuesday have been aborted while many suspects that it invited for questioning cannot be attended to.
EFCC personnel were seen hanging around the 15A, Awolowo Way head office on Tuesday morning after failing to gain entry into their offices.
The DSS said the building belonged to his agency.
The EFCC statement reads: “The operatives of the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 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 Services, DSS, 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.
“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 wilder 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.”
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