Drama as DSS prevents EFCC from arresting ex- DG Ekpeyong Ita

In a show that proves that there is no synergy between security agencies in the country, officers of the Department of State Services, DSS and that of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on Tuesday thwarted the attempt by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arrest a former Director General of the agency, Mr. Ekpeyong Ita and sacked NIA DG, Ambassador Ayodele Oke.

The anti-graft agency is on the heels of the former DG following the investigation into offences bordering on alleged theft and diversion of public funds.

A source close to the EFCC, said the mild drama occurred at about 6am when EFCC operatives accompanied by policemen, armed with both arrest and search warrants, stormed the 46 Mamman Nasir, Asokoro, Abuja residence of Ita but were restricted from gaining entry by armed guards from the DSS.

To further make the entrance into the facility impregnable for the EFCC men, it was said that the DSS reinforced its security presence with the deployment of about 30 armed operatives.

But the refusal of the DSS operatives to allow the EFCC execute valid search and arrest warrants is considered worrisome in certain quarters.

Faulting the propriety of the DSS’ action, the EFCC source said “I don’t know whether it is within their brief to prevent a law enforcement agency from executing arrest or search warrant on a property belonging to a retired staff of the agency. The suspect in question is not a serving officer of the DSS, which makes this action particularly reprehensible”.

Security agencies working with the NIA also prevented the EFCC operatives from arresting Oke and refused to cooperate with the commission in spite of the presentation of valid warrant of arrest against the sacked NIA DG.

The development depicts disorganized roles played by security agencies in the fight against corruption by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration and further erode the credibility of the government’s anti-corruption crusade.

Efforts to get the reaction of the DSS was unsuccessful at press time.