The Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) has expressed concern over the increasing cases of political candidates presenting forged certificates for elections. In an effort to address this issue, the institute has partnered with the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC) to ensure that candidates from all political parties have genuine credentials.
During the institute’s 7th direct membership graduation ceremony and award of Fellowship, CIFCFIN President, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, stated that the institute will deploy advanced forensic tools to vet and authenticate the certificates of aspiring candidates before primary elections. This move aims to put an end to the shame and disgrace brought upon Nigeria by fake credentials.
Dr. Gashinbaki emphasized the need to address the prevalence of fake credentials in the country, which extends beyond election certificates to tax clearance certificates, academic institutions credentials, and even passports. He highlighted the institute’s commitment to contribute to the eradication of this issue by implementing comprehensive measures across the board.
Furthermore, CIFCFIN recently had a courtesy visit to the Minister of Internal Affairs to discuss the importance of forensic and fraud investigative techniques in maintaining and managing Nigeria’s identity management system. The institute proposed partnering with agencies such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to provide forensic technical support in securing the identity management system and preventing fraudulent activities such as identity theft and data breaches.
The president emphasized that this partnership will enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s identity management system and rebuild the country’s international image. This is crucial for various socio-economic activities, including banking, voting, and accessing government services.
Statistics reveal the urgent need for a robust and secure identity management system. Nigeria ranks 9th in Africa for attempted frauds on national ID cards, with an 18% fraud rate. In the first quarter of 2023 alone, the country experienced 82,000 data breaches, as reported by The Guardian.
By taking a proactive approach, CIFCFIN aims to combat certificate forgery in Nigerian elections, enhance the credibility of identity management, and protect the country’s reputation on the international stage.
