President Bola Tinubu has directed the Department of State Service (DSS) to vacate the Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with immediate effect.

The President gave the directive when reports that DSS officials stormed the EFCC office located on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday, preventing officials of the anti-graft agency from accessing their work place, was brought to his attention.

The President, according to a statement signed by Tunde Rahman, said if there were issues between the two important agencies of government, they would be resolved amicably.

Meanwhile, the DSS has stated that the EFCC has reached out to it for resolution of the crisis.

The Public Relations Officer of DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said: “It may be recalled that the media had earlier today (30/05/2023) reported a barricade of EFCC Lagos Office by the Department of State Services (DSS). The Service hereby informs the public that the leadership of EFCC has reached out to it (the Service) for a final resolution of issues surrounding the property under reference.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is important to note that the Commission does not use the 15 Awolowo Road DSS-Owned property as holding facility for its suspects. As such, the Service never hindered the Commission’s access to its suspects anywhere.

“While the Service has accepted the Commission’s entreaties and certain concessions, sections of the media are advised to apply restraint in  their reportage of the matter in order to avoid instigating any rancours between the two agencies.”

The EFCC had in the early hours of Tuesday raised the alarm that DSS laid to its Lagos office.

The anti-graft agency stated that the action disrupted its operations.

EFCC described the action as shocking, stating that it prevented its operatives from accessing the Lagos zonal office.

The secret police and EFCC are at loggerheads over the ownership of the building housing the anti-graft agency in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The Star