A Professor of Forensic Accounting, Babcock University, Illishan-Remo, Ogun State, Prof. Samuel Dada has called for the inclusion of ethics and forensic accounting in the curricula of tertiary educational institutions.
This he said will both ensure effective professional training and create stronger awareness of its value to boost societal moral values.
He made the submission while delivering the University’s 41st inaugural lecture, titled: The Forensic Accountant in a Global World of Corruption and Stunted Economic Growth.
The lecturer also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to enhance investigation of corruption cases through equipping its forensic accounting unit.
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He recommended the engagement of trained experts with attractive remuneration to facilitate investigation of corruption cases or the use of Forensic Accounting experts from professional accounting firms to serve as investigators and expert witnesses.
This, he argued, would assist the court reach a conclusion on corruption cases without delay.
His paper also called for the strengthening of the legal framework to ensure that courts apply the provisions of Section 19 sub-section 2 of the EFCC Act, 2004 for accelerated trial of corruption cases as well as the non-interference on corruption cases by government.
“Government should not interfere in the operations of EFCC,” he said. “No individual should be treated as sacred cow.”
Apart from attractive pay, he attributes the success of the anti-corruption campaign in Hong Kong to the country’s anti-corruption agency’s independence from political interference and separation from the police force and the civil service.
He urged the judiciary not to use technicalities to dismiss cases of corruption.
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