Professional bodies’ association inducts forensic and transport institutes

The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has inducted the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) and the Chartered Institute of Transport Association of Nigeria (CIOTA) as corporate members.

APBN’s President/Chairman-in-Council, Rubainu Manason, said CIFCFIN’s expertise in forensic and fraud investigation and CIOTA’s expertise in transport, logistics and administration have the potential for cross-professional collaborations that would produce ground-breaking outcomes.

“For instance, we can envision a synergy between transport administrators and forensic investigators in the area of fraud detection within logistics and supply chains,” he noted.

He stressed further that the integration of the two institutes into APBN will open up new opportunities for learning, cooperation and national development.

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Manason described CIFCFIN’s role as crucial, adding that at a time when accountability, transparency and forensic investigation are central to the country’s national discourse. CIFCFIN brings to the table a critical framework for fighting fraud, corruption and financial crimes.

He described the challenges faced by Nigeria in these areas as global in nature and was hopeful that CIFCFIN’s expertise will elevate Nigeria’s capacity to ensure transparency and uphold justice.

He said CIFCFIN’s commitment to rigorous investigation and ethical standards will serve as a powerful deterrent to those who seek to undermine the country’s progress.

Speaking after the induction, CIFCFIN’s President/Chairman of Council, Dr Iliyasu Gashinbaki, who was represented by the institute’s Registrar/CEO, Dr Isa Salifu, said the “CICFIN Establishment Act No 45, 2022, signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on 23rd December 2022, provided the institute with the formal charter solidifying its role as a key player in the multidisciplinary professional practice of forensics and fraud investigation.”

He said the institute is poised to establish five forensic laboratories in the various geo-political zones of the country as follows: Document Forensic Lab, Digital Forensic Lab, Engineering Forensic Lab, Physical Ballistic Lab and Medical Forensic Lab. 

“The laboratories will provide independent avenues for prosecutors to analyse different documents in order to come up with water-tight evidence to nail perpetrators of corruption, fraud and financial crimes in the country.”