Forensic, Investigative Auditors’ Bill Will Get Presidential Assent, Says AGF

The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari would assent the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors in Nigeria (CIFIA) Bill when it gets to his table. Malami, who noted that the institute’s activities were in tandem with the anti-corruption fight of the Buhari administration, disclosed this when the CIFIA President, Dr. Victoria Enape, led a team from the institute on a courtesy visit to him in Abuja. The AGF, who also expressed support for the body was also conferred with fellow of the institute. According to Malami, “This, indeed, CIFIA is an association that the ministry will be keen and exceptionally interested in partnering in terms of collaboration, cooperation and working together fundamentally on three plans. “CIFIA is an institute that is rooted in the fight against corruption; it is an institute that can help the federal government in tackling the menace of insurgency and it can help in rooting out elements of fraud in bureaucratic processes and administration. “To that extent, we believe that collaboration with CIFIA will eventually pay off by way of engaging the services being provided by federal government and reduce corruption in governance. “In relation to the pending bill, it the desire of the federal government, to see to the passage of the bill because of its immense contribution to breaking to associated leakages inherent in our system. The federal government will be readily available to support the bill and see to its assent in the context of national interest,” he said. Malami said as far as the CIFIA Bill was concerned, the institute and the federal government shared things in common. He expressed appreciation for the fellowship award, saying it would boost his commitment to what CIFIA stood for as an institute. The AGF also pledged to work towards issuing a letter of collaboration and endorsement to CIFIA as well as signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the institute on training the staff of the Ministry. Enape, had earlier in her remark, said CIFIA had sought to identify with the AGF because of his sterling performance. “We are the one of the world’s leading provider of anti-fraud organisation offering training and education, we offer opportunity for practical professionals to learn the basic that go beyond knowledge of accounting, auditing and finance. CIFIA strives to promote the need for transparency in advanced audit through certification, training, conferences and seminars in forensic auditing field. “We carry out specialised fraud investigation by utilising using specialised forensic audit tools and equipment. Forensic auditors are mainly professionals from accounting background, lawyers, bankers, criminologists, cyber security experts among others. “It is not limited to accountants; that is why we are unique. Our training cuts across all these areas. It cuts across investigation, auditing and accounting; it integrates accounting, auditing and investigative skills in resolving fraud cases. “It encompasses litigation support, witness testimony, presentation of expert document that shows fraud- that is why this ministry if very important to the institute,” she said. She had also solicited the support of the AGF on the CIFIA Bill which had gone through public hearing, collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, letter of endorsement and training agreement on forensic and investigative auditing. A three-day training/induction of Professors and Doctors of Accounting/Other Executives into CIFIA ended yesterday in Abuja.]]>