Ejiofor reassured that any perceived rivalry between the DSS and EFCC would not hinder the fair hearing and trial process of Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was recently suspended by the President.
By Johnson Atoukudu:
Mike Ejiofor, the former Director of the Department of State Service (DSS), has stated that there is no existing rivalry between the DSS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the counter-intelligence and surveillance agency.
Speculations about a significant division between these two law enforcement entities have been circulating, especially after the DSS’s intervention at the EFCC’s Lagos State office, where they claimed ownership of the building at No 15A Awolowo Road in Lagos, just a day after President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration.
However, Ejiofor who was a guest on Channels Television Sunrise Daily on Friday said, “The truth is that the DSS accommodates the EFCC as a sister agency, there is no rivalry between the DSS and EFCC”.
Highlighting President Tinubu’s early days in office, it was emphasized that he consistently stressed the importance of security agencies enhancing their coordination and avoiding conflicting objectives. The President of the National Institute for Security Studies further clarified that the Department of State Service (DSS) has specific responsibilities within the country, encompassing counter-intelligence, internal security, counter-terrorism, surveillance, and investigation of severe crimes against the state.
Ejiofor reassured that any perceived rivalry between the DSS and EFCC would not hinder the fair hearing and trial process of Abdulrasheed Bawa, who was recently suspended by the President.
“I think the PRO issued a statement to that effect. I personally started the NSO (National Security Organisation) at 15, Awolowo Road, which has been our headquarters. Now, there has been correspondence between the EFCC and the DSS for them to vacate because they need to use that place.
“The DSS also said you (EFCC) people must go, the EFCC chairman came to appeal to the DG so, I don’t see any rancour.”
“The DSS is charged with investigating crimes against the state. So, whether Bawa would get a fair hearing, is guaranteed. Because the DSS as far as I know without sounding immodest would always give you the benefit of the doubt”. He said.
