Auditor-General launches forensic lab, pledges improved auditing
The Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), Mr Adolphus Aghughu, has assured that public accounting will experience improved auditing with the effective deployment of forensic auditing techniques.
Aghughu gave the assurance in Abuja on Monday while inaugurating a newly-equipped forensic laboratory and presentation of certificates to 21 newly-trained forensic auditors.
He said that forensic auditing, when effectively deployed, could be used to gather evidence that could help in diligent prosecution of corruption cases in the courts.
The auditor-general gave an assurance that the trained and certified forensic auditors would be immediately deployed to the field to carry out forensic audits in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He said that his office would ensure that the newly-trained forensic auditors were effectively deployed to improve the public accounting system.
“We are not just having a forensic laboratory, we have trained 21 forensic auditors that will be on the field in the next one week to carry out a minimum five forensic audits.
“For public accounting, forensic auditing is unique because, when you want an answer with evidence that could be used for prosecution in court, forensic auditing is integral,” he said.
Aghughu urged the forensic auditors to work with zeal and determination to create a difference, saying that the country needs auditors to wake up and be more effective in their mandate.
Earlier, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Consultant in the Office of the Auditor-General (OAuGF), Dr Jimson Olufuye, commended Aghughu for delivering the laboratory and providing support for the training of the initial 21 forensic auditors.
Olufuye also commended the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) for partnering with the Auditor-General’s office for the training.
The facilitator of the training, Prof. Peter Olayiwola gave an assurance that the new forensic auditors from the auditor-general’s office had been trained to carry out auditing systems that would ensure probity and accountability.
“All the 21 participants that were trained can expertly examine, question documents and carry out handwriting analysis,” he said.
