Enlist Forensic Accountants in fight against corruption, Babcock University lecturer urges EFCC

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

A Professor of Forensic Accounting with Babcock University, Ilisan Remo, Prof. Samuel Dada has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to always engage use of forensic Accountants from certified professional firms to enhance investigation of corruption cases.

Prof Dada revealed that the engagement of such experts will not only ensure that a thorough investigation is done but also enhance quick dispensation of justice as it helps the court to reach a timely conclusion on corruption cases without delay.

The Forensic Accountant has equally called for complete detachment of EFCC from political interference saying that the anti-graft agency must be free from all kinds of executive control to be more efficient and deliver on mandate to fight corruption.

Prof. Dada made this call recently while delivering the 41st inaugural lecture of the university with the theme “The Forensic Accountant in a Global World of Corruption and Stunted Economic Growth”.

He declared that now is the time for the anti-graft agency to strengthen its forensic accounting department and ensure that it play prominent role as investigators in corruption cases being handled by the EFCC.

Dada has also called for the strengthening of legal framework to ensure that courts apply the provisions of Section 19 sub-section 2 of the EFCC Act, 2004 for accelerated trial of corruption cases as well as the non-interference on corruption cases by government saying that no individual should be treated as sacred cow

He revealed further that apart from attractive remuneration, the success of the anti-corruption campaign in Hong Kong was largely due to the agency’s independence from political interference and separation from the police force and the civil service.

The university don urged the judiciary not to use technicalities to dismiss cases of corruption as in case of former governor of Delta state, James Ibori whose case was dismissed by a Nigerian court but was convicted by a London Court for 13 years jail term. This, the university don said was an obvious embarrassment for the Nigerian judicial system.

He submitted that the inclusion of ethics and forensic accounting in the curricula of tertiary educational institutions would both ensure effective professional training and create stronger awareness of its value to “boost societal moral values.”