Notwithstanding several denials of existing cold
war between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the
Department of State Service (DSS), the EFCC has said several attempts by the
commission to make the DSS send some of its officials to answer questions on
the corruption scandal involving the former National Security Adviser (NSA),
Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) were rebuffed.
According to EFCC Head of Media and Publicity,
Wilson Uwujaren, the DSS was the only exception among security agencies that
refused to honour EFCC's invitation in the investigation of corruption case
linked to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in the last
administration.
According to him, "The attention of the EFCC
has been drawn to a report captioned DSS, EFCC in fresh face-off over invitation
of SSS operatives; the report said the imaginary feud brewing between the
Department of State Services (DSS) and EFCC over the alleged invitation of some
DSS operatives, was an attempt by the commission to “rubbish the service since
the DSS was not answerable to the EFCC."
"Quoting an anonymous source, it stated: 'what
are they (EFCC) trying to do, audit our operations or what? Did the service
report any financial infraction to them and call for their intervention? It is
just a case of overzealousness and lack of professionalism and we won’t allow
that because what you allow is what will continue.
“If they (EFCC) need any clarification on anything,
they should come to our office. We can’t be humiliated by anybody. Never! If this fallout from the security report is officially
requested by the National Assembly, then we wish them luck. We stand by our
findings."
Uwujaren stated that "it is important to state
that it is not strange for the EFCC to invite (for questioning) officers of
other law enforcement agencies alleged to be complicit in any case being
investigated by the commission.
"But there are protocols in doing this; and
part of that protocol is to write to the heads of such agencies, requesting
that the officer(s) in question be released for interview."
He added that "in the course of investigating
the arms procurement scandal in the Office of the former NSA, the
commission has had cause to request the release of officers of other security
agencies, including the Nigerian army, the Nigerian air force, the Nigerian navy
and now the DSS, for questioning. All but the DSS have acceded to this request.
"For the avoidance of doubt, the arms
procurement investigation is national in its outlook with alleged culprits
cutting across the military, security establishments as well as the political
class. It is not targeted at any institution.
"Consequently, the insinuation about a
revenge-instigated investigation of the DSS by the EFCC over its role in the Senate
refusal to confirm Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman of the EFCC, is not
only specious, but pure mischief contrived for motives that are unclear."
The revelation came amid reports that the DSS was
also not cooperating with the EFCC in unraveling the culpability of government
officials in the innocuous reinstatement of former boss of the Presidential
Team on Pension Reforms, Abdulrashed Maina.
Maina's family had earlier accused the President
Muhammadu Buhari administration of being the brain behind Maina's return and
reinstatement in the Federal Civil Service.
The family had also alleged that Maina was being assisted and
guarded by some officials of the DSS, an allegation the agency vehemently
denied.
Though Uwujaren would not respond to questions on whether DSS
were assisting in the Maina's case, THISDAY also learnt that the DSS have
refused to provide critical answers to the return of Maina to the country and
his questionable reinstatement and promotion as a director in the civil
service.
When THISDAY contacted the DSS on the allegation of
its refusal to honour the EFCC's invitation on the Dasuki's matter, an official
of the agency declined to comment, stating that the DSS was yet to receive the
position of the EFCC on the case.
The DSS also did not comment on the Mainagate,
promising to provide detailed information on the matter on a subsequent date.
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