The Chairman of the Delta State Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), Mr Okonta Chukwuekwu Nordi, FCCrFA, has urged members of the Institute to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their duties, warning that professional misconduct could have consequences long after the act has been committed.
Mr. Nordi gave the charge in his opening remarks at the Chapter’s meeting held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Board of Internal Revenue Office, Airport Road, Warri, Delta State.
Addressing members, the Chapter Chairman drew attention to the legal foundation of the Institute, citing Act No. 45, published in the Federal Government Official Gazette of December 28, 2022, which established CIFCFIN.
He urged members to appreciate the significance of the legislation and the responsibilities it places on them as professionals entrusted with safeguarding financial integrity, detecting fraud and promoting accountability.
He emphasised that membership of the Institute required more than professional qualifications, stressing that every member must demonstrate honesty, discipline, transparency and strict adherence to established procedures in both professional and personal conduct.
According to him, members must remain conscious of the fact that their actions and professional decisions can be traced back to them, even many years after they might have forgotten the circumstances surrounding them.
Mr. Nordi therefore counselled members to make due process a guiding principle in their engagements, noting that the credibility of forensic investigations and fraud examinations depends largely on the integrity, diligence and professional conduct of the practitioners involved.
He further disclosed that the national leadership of the Institute was working towards expanding its professional reach by encouraging the participation of other relevant professional bodies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and computer-related professional associations.
He explained that the proposed expansion would create opportunities for stronger professional collaboration, knowledge sharing and the integration of complementary expertise in tackling fraud, financial misconduct and other forms of economic wrongdoing.
The Chairman expressed appreciation to members in Warri for hosting the meeting, commending their support and cooperation towards the growth and activities of the Delta State Chapter.
Earlier, the Vice Chairman of the Chapter, Dr Godwin Oke, FCCrFA, presented a paper titled “Forensic Accounting and the Quality of Financial Statements in Quoted Manufacturing Firms in Nigeria.”
The presentation examined the importance of forensic accounting in strengthening financial reporting, improving internal controls and enhancing confidence in the financial statements of publicly quoted manufacturing companies.
Dr Oke recommended the deployment of forensic accounting practices in quoted manufacturing firms in Nigeria, noting that such measures would strengthen internal control systems and improve the overall quality and reliability of financial statements.
He also advocated the engagement of forensic accountants to review corporate accounts before the publication of financial statements, explaining that such pre-publication reviews could help identify and correct errors at an early stage, reduce the risk of inaccurate financial reporting and strengthen investors’ confidence in published accounts.
The paper presenter further noted that the proactive involvement of forensic accounting professionals could assist management in identifying weaknesses in financial processes, improving compliance and ensuring that financial information presented to shareholders and other stakeholders was more accurate and dependable.
Among those in attendance were the Chapter Secretary, Rev. Jude Okelele, CCrFA; the Treasurer, Egbo Roseline, CCrFA; the State Chairman of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Asaba Branch, Victoria Chukwurah; and Bridget Tosan Uwekahwevwe, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).
The meeting provided an opportunity for members to discuss professional responsibilities, deepen their understanding of forensic accounting and reinforce the role of the Institute in promoting financial transparency, accountability and the fight against fraud.
The vote of thanks was delivered by the Chapter Secretary, Rev. Jude Okelele, who appreciated members and guests for their participation and contributions to the success of the meeting.
