The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at eradicating forgery and protecting the integrity of the 2027 general election.
Partnership to Strengthen Democracy
During the signing ceremony at the NBA Headquarters in Abuja, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) condemned the harmful effects of forged documents used in fraudulent transactions, money laundering, and other criminal activities. He urged legal professionals to ensure the authenticity of documents they produce.
“We must not use our profession to introduce forged documents into public records or court systems, thereby misleading the public,” Osigwe warned.
Referring to an earlier meeting with CIFCFIN in February, Osigwe highlighted that forensic science can strengthen Nigeria's judicial system, enhance institutional credibility, and safeguard democracy, especially with the 2027 general election approaching.
“Issues such as certificate forgery and document manipulation have repeatedly embarrassed our institutions and weakened public confidence. We must gate-keep more effectively,” he said.
Timely and Strategic Collaboration
Osigwe described the partnership as timely, strategic, and necessary to build a country where integrity is verified, systems are trusted, and fraud is prevented before it takes root. He commended CIFCFIN for institutionalizing forensic standards in Nigeria, noting that a modern justice system requires credible forensic analysis in document verification, digital investigations, and financial tracing.
He pledged the NBA's readiness to collaborate in raising awareness, building capacity for the Bench and Bar, and strengthening systems to ensure trustworthy documents and transactions from Nigeria.
“It is based on this understanding that we have agreed to this partnership,” Osigwe declared.
Broad Scope of Partnership
In response, CIFCFIN Founder and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, stated that the MoU marks the beginning of a strong partnership spanning electoral management, anti-money laundering, proceeds-of-crime investigations, forgery detection, certificate fraud, financial crimes, and other malpractices.
“At the centre of every criminal justice system is evidence, and at the centre of evidence is the ability of investigators to transform suspicion into admissible evidence that can support litigation,” he explained.
He added, “The opportunities and responsibilities embedded in this collaboration are enormous. Following this MoU signing, both organisations will play a critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.”
The signing ceremony was supervised by NBA Secretary General Dr. Mobolaji Ojibana and witnessed by high-ranking officials from both organizations.
