The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 24 for hearing in a suit filed by the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) challenging the authority of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to train and certify forensic professionals.
Gatekeepers News reports that the case, before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, was initially scheduled for mention on Tuesday but was adjourned to allow the parties to properly appear before the court.
CIFCFIN, through its counsel, Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is asking the court to determine whether ICAN has the statutory authority to offer a certification programme leading to the award of the “Certified Forensic Accountant of Nigeria (CFAN)” qualification.
The institute is relying on provisions of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022, which it says confer powers relating to training, certification and professional practice in forensics on CIFCFIN.
The suit follows an invitation by ICAN to chartered accountants, compliance managers, bankers, investment analysts, auditors, anti-corruption agency personnel and other professionals to register for a seven-day programme leading to the CFAN qualification.
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Mohammed Arafat, Head of Legal and Corporate Services at CIFCFIN, argued that ICAN’s actions were outside its statutory mandate and could create confusion among members of the public.
CIFCFIN is asking the court to set aside and nullify the award of the CFAN qualification, as well as any other qualification or certificate in the field and practice of forensics in Nigeria issued by ICAN.
The institute is also seeking an order directing ICAN to withdraw or stop any publication, gazette notice or public representation suggesting that it has the authority to certify or license professionals in the field of forensics.
It further wants a perpetual injunction restraining ICAN, its council, officers, servants or agents from issuing, advertising or recognising the “Certified Forensic Accountant of Nigeria (CFAN)” qualification, designation, licence or certification.
CIFCFIN is also asking the court to declare that, under the relevant provisions of its establishing law, ICAN lacks the authority to offer a certification programme culminating in the award of the CFAN qualification.
The matter has now been adjourned until November 24 for hearing.
