President holds closed-door meeting with EFCC boss, Bawa

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, held a closed-door meeting with Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The agenda could not be ascertained.
It might, however, not be unconnected with the recent squabble at the Lagos office of the EFCC, where operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) barricaded the building.

Recall that Tinubu, on Tuesday evening, ordered the DSS to immediately withdraw its men and vehicles from the EFCC office.

A statement issued by Presidential spokesman, Tunde Rahman, on the issue reads:

“President Bola Tinubu has directed the DSS to immediately vacate the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Ikoyi, Lagos.

“The President gave the directive, when report 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 said if there were issues between the two important agencies of government, they would be resolved amicably.”

Before Tinubu’s intervention, the DSS had issued a statement, denying it barricaded the premises, and claiming it was “only occupying its own” facility.

DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, said: “It is not correct that the DSS barricaded EFCC 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 responsibility.

“By the way, there is no controversy over No 15 Awolowo Road, as being insinuated by the media. Did the EFCC tell you it is contesting ownership of the building? I will be surprised if it is contesting the ownership.

“Awolowo Road was NSO headquarters. SSS/DSS started from there. It is common knowledge. It is a historical fact. Check it out.

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