Research Article

FORENSIC ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL CRIME IN NIGERIA

1 Department of Accounting, Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City
2 Department ofAccounting, Faculty ofManagement Sciences, University ofBenin, Benin City.
* Corresponding author: Ernest.oshodin@uniben.edu
Published: Jun, 2025
Pages: 3-14
Views: 13
Downloads: 7

Abstract

The study investigates the effect offorensic accounting on financial crime in Nigeria. The staff of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC)form thepopulation ofthe study because of their vast knowledge of corruption-related practices in Nigeria. 344 staff of EFCC and ICPC were purposively selected, and questionnaires were administered to selected staff. The method ofdata analysis was ordered logistic regression, and the data analyses revealed that forensic accounting techniques, forensic accounting education, and forensic accounting investigation have a positive and significant effect on financial crime, but litigation support services and ethical forensic accounting have a negative and significant effect on financial crime. The paper therefore recommends that a forensic accounting unit be established in every governmentparastatal to put in place measures that can deterfinancial crimes.

References

  1. Abuh, A.P., & Acho, Y. (2018). Forensic accounting and economic stability in the Nigeria public sector: The role of economic and Financial crime commission. International Journal of Public Administration and management research, 4(3), 19-74.
  2. Adegbite, S, V., Oyebamiji, T. A., & Oyedokun, G. E. (2019). Forensic accounting and tax evasion in Nigeria, Journal of Taxation and Economic Development, 17(2), 131-140.
  3. Ademola, L.S., Ayoib, B.C., & Oluwatoyin, J.M.P. (2017). The forensic accountant skills and ethics on fraud prevention in the Nigerian public sector. Academic Journal Economic Studies, 3 (4),77-85.
  4. Aduwo, O.O. (2016) .The role of forensic accounting in combating the menace of corporate failure. International Journal of Economic, Commerce and Management, 3(1), 1-15.
  5. Amake, C.C. & Ikhatua, O.J. (2016) Forensic accounting and fraud detection in Nigerian public sector. Igbinedion University Journal of Accounting 2(1),148-172
  6. Anuolam ,O.M., Onyema, T.E., & Ekeke, U. (2016) .Forensic accounting and financial crimes: Adopting the inference, relevance and Logic solution approach. West African Journal of Industry and Academic Research, 17, 126-132.
  7. Augustine, E.A., & Uagbale-Ekatah, R.E (2014). The growing relevance of forensic accounting as a tool for combating fraud and corruption: Nigeria experience. Research Journal of Finance and Accounting 5(2),71-77.
  8. Bassey, E. B. (2018). Effect of forensic accounting on the management of fraud in microfinance Institutions in Cross River State. Journal of Economics and Finance, 9(4), 79-89.
  9. Bay, D. (1997).Determinants of ethical behavior: An experiment. Unpublished Doctoral Thesis, Washington State University.
  10. Chepnegeno, K.F., & Fred, S. (2020). Effect of litigation support services on fraud mitigation in firms listed at the Nairobi Security Exchange , Kenya, Journal of Economics and Finance 1,(4), 43- 51.
  11. Dada, S. & Jimoh, F. (2020) Forensic accounting and financial crimes in Nigerian public sector. Journal of Accounting and Taxation, 12(4), 118125.
  12. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC Act) (2004). A bill for an act to repeal the financial crimes commission (Establishment) Act, 2002 and enact the financial crimes commission (establishment) Act, 2003; and for matter connected therewith.
  13. Eliezer, O., & Emmanuel, B. (2015). The relevance of forensic accounting in the detection and prevention of fraud in Nigeria. Historical Research Letter 23, 17-20.
  14. Eme, J.E. (2012). Forensic Accounting Education: An exploration of level of awareness in developing nation; Nigeria as a case study. International Journal of Business Management, 7,(4), 26-34.
  15. Enofe, A., Izvbigie, D., & Usifo, E. (2015). Impact of confidential privilege or forensic accountant in litigation support services. West African Journal of Business and Management Science, 4(2), 119-126.
  16. Enofe, A.O., Okpako, P.O., & Atube, E.N. (2013). The impact of forensic accounting on fraud detection. European Journal of Business and Management, 5(26), 61-72.
  17. Evans, O.N.D. (2017) .Forensic accounting and the combating of economic and financial crime in Ghana. European Scientific Journal, 13(31), 1-15.
  18. Ezejiofor, R.A., Nwakoby, N.P., & Okoye, F.N. (2016). Impact of forensic accounting on combating fraud in Nigeria banking industry. International Journal of Academic Research in Management and Business, 1(2), 1-19.
  19. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (2018). Forensic accounting and financial crime: A survey of academicians and practitioners. Journal of forensic Accounting, 12(4), 58-76.
  20. Gbegi, D.O., & Adebisi, E. (2013). The new fraud diamond and –How can it help forensic accountant in fraud investigation in Nigeria? European Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance Research, 1(4), 129-138.
  21. Harwood, A. (2016). An examination of the impact of obedience pressure on perceptions of fraudulent acts and the likelihood of committing occupational fraud. Journal of Forensic Studies Accounting Business, Winter 1(1).
  22. Imam, A., Kumshe, A.M., & Jajere, M.S. (2015). Applicability of forensic accounting service for financial fraud detection and prevention in the public sector of Nigeria. International of Journal of Information Technology and Management, 40(1), 136-156.
  23. Izedonmi, F., & Ibadin, P.O. (2012) .Forensic Accounting and Financial Crimes: Adopting the Inference, Relevance and Logic Solution Approach. African Research Review, An International Multidisciplinary Journal, Ethiopia, 6(4), 125-139.
  24. Kamoru, O.L. (2012). Economic and Financial Crime in Nigeria : Forensic Accounting as Antidote. British Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 6 (1), 37-52.
  25. Modugu, K., & Anyaduba, J. (2013). Forensic accounting and financial fraud in Nigeria: An empirical approach. International Journal of Business and Social Science 4(7), 16-34.
  26. Mohammed, U.B., & Peter, K.N. (2016). Immunity clause and white collar crim. Journal of Research in Humanities in Nigeria; A call for the withdrawal of immunity clause and Social Science, 4(9), 60-65.
  27. Mukoro, D.O., Yamusa, O., & Faboyede, S.O. (2013). The role of forensic accounting in fraud detection and national security. Journal of Management, 5(30-35).
  28. Ogbonna, G.N. (2010). Ethical considerations in corporate governance: A Survey of governance practices of corporate stakeholders in Nigeria. International Journal of Business Behavior Sciences Research, 1(1), 91-108.
  29. Ogutu, G.O., & Ngahu, S. (2016). Application of forensic auditing skills in fraud mitigation: a survey of accounting firms in the county government of Nakuru, Kenya. IOSR Journal of Business and Management 18(4), 73-79.
  30. Okoye, I., Adeniyi, S.I, & Obidi, U.E. (2019). Forensic Accounting and financial fraud dissection through interview process in selected Federal Ministries Enugu State. International Journal of Recent Innovation in Academic Research, 3(12), 88-104.
  31. Olaoye, A.A. (2020). Combating financial crime through forensic accounting in Nigeria public sector. The Journal of Economic Research and Business Administration,3(133),91-102, http:// doi.org/ 10.26577/ be. 2020.
  32. Olaoye, C. O., & Olanipekun, C. T. (2018). Impact of forensic accounting and investigation on corporate governance in Ekiti State. Journal of Accounting, Business and Finance Research, 4(1), 28-37
  33. Onodi, B.E., Okafor, T.G., & Onyali, C.I .(2015). The impact of forensic investigative methods on corporate fraud deterrence in banks in Nigeria. European Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, 3(4),69-85.
  34. Oseni, A. (2017). Forensic accounting and financial fraud in Nigeria: Problems and prospects. Journal of Accounting and Financial Management 3(1), 23-33.
  35. Ramaswamy, V. (2005). Corporate Governance and the Forensic Accountant. The CPA Journal, 75(3), 68-70.
  36. Shehu, U.S., & Khairui, S.A. (2020). Challenges of combating fraudulent practices : evidence from Nigerian public sector. Journal of Financial Crime. https://WWW.emeraid.com/insight/1359-0790.htm. doi: 10.1108/JFC-04-2020-0075.Society, Crime and Law Enforcement (2019).
  37. Sutherland, E.H (1949). White Collar Crime. The Uncut Version, Yale University Press, 45-62
  38. Vousinas, G.L. (2019). Advancing theory of fraud: The S.C.O.R.E. model. Journal of Financial Crime, 26(1), 372-381. . https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-12-2017-0128
  39. Wolf, D.T., & Hermanson, S.R. (2004). The fraud Diamond: considering the four elements of fraud. The CPA journal, 74(12), 38-42. https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/facpubs/1537/
How to Cite

Oshodin, E., & Omobude, E. O. (2025). FORENSIC ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL CRIME IN NIGERIA. Kaduna Business and Management Reviews, 6(1), 3-14. https://doi.org/10.68022/kbmr.2025.qrufhuwo

E. Oshodin, and E. O. Omobude, "FORENSIC ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL CRIME IN NIGERIA," Kaduna Business and Management Reviews, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 3-14, June 2025. doi: 10.68022/kbmr.2025.qrufhuwo

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn