Operatives of the State Security Service have barred several Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officials from the anti-graft’s Ikoyi office in Lagos.

According to reports on Tuesday, the secret police stationed armoured trucks to block the office located at Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Both agencies use the building.

Playing down the incident, SSS spokesman Peter Afunanya claimed the secret police did not barricade the EFCC office in Ikoyi but only occupied its own facility on the premises.

“There is no rivalry between the Service and the EFCC over 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,” stated Mr Afunanya.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has decried the SSS’ siege on its facility as retrogressive.

“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,” EFCC’s spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said, explaining that the anti-graft agency has shared the facility with the SSS for 20 years without incident.

The anti-corruption commission also lamented that denying its agents access to their offices in Lagos disrupted operations.

“Cases scheduled for a court hearing today have been aborted, while many suspects who had been invited for questioning are left unattended,” said Mr Uwujaren. “Even more alarming is that suspects in detention are left without care, with grave implications for their rights as inmates.

He added, “All of these have wider implications for the nation’s fight against economic and financial crimes.”