DSS, NIA Officials Prevent EFCC From Arresting Oke, Ekpenyong

There was a mild drama on Tuesday as operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) and those of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) prevented the EFCC from arresting their former bosses, Ita Ekpenyong and Ayodele Oke, former Director Generals of the respective agencies.

Reports say the face-off between the law enforcement agencies took place on Mamman Nasir Street in Asokoro District, Abuja, where the Ekpenyong and Oke’s residences are located.

The incident led to a traffic gridlock in the area and the atmosphere was charged as armed personnel from the affected agencies quarrel among themselves.

It was not clear as at the time of filing this report whether the EFCC succeeded in making the arrests.

Ekpenyong was sacked as DSS DG by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2015, barely a month after he was sworn into power.

Buhari appointed Lawal Daura, his kinsman, as replacement for Ekpenyong, who was adjudged to have been partisan during the 2015 general election.

Oke, on the other hand, was eased out of office in October 2017, following allegations of corruption and money laundering.

The EFCC had discovered huge sums of cash in local and foreign currencies in a private residential apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, and later Oke claimed that the money belongs to the NIA.

He said the money was approved for the agency by former President Goodluck Jonathan for some “covet” operation the agency was carrying out.

However, a probe panel, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was set up to investigate the issue, and make recommendations to the President.

The panel recommended that Oke be sacked and that he be further investigated and prosecuted.