By Agency Report
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday fixed Nov. 24 for hearing in the suit by the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) against the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
CIFCFIN is challenging the power of ICAN to train and issue qualifying certificates to forensic professionals.
The matter, which is before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, was initially scheduled for mention on Tuesday but the case was adjourned to enable parties appear properly before the court.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CIFCFIN, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1559/2026 and filed by its counsel, Shaibu Aruwa, SAN, had sued ICAN as sole defendant.
CIFCFIN argued that ICAN cannot offer “Certification Programme culminating in the award of Certified Forensic Accountant of Nigeria (CFAN).”
It submitted that this was in line with the combined interpretation of Sections 2(a) – (i),3(1)(a) and 4(a) – (c), 6(2), 12(2), 13, (1) () and (g), 17(1l) (a) and (b) and 22 of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (Establishment) Act No. 45, 2022,
In the affidavit deposed to by Head of Legal and Corporate Services of the CIFCFIN, Mohammed Arafat, averred that ICAN’s invitation to applicants for a seven-day professional certification programme culminating in the award of Certified Forensic Accountant of Nigeria (CFAN), is outside its mandate and could cause confusion to the general public.
The plaintiff alleged that ICAN had invited applicants in the fields of knowledge of chartered accountants, compliance managers, bankers, investment analysts, auditors, and anti-corruption agencies staff and other institutions to register for the programme.
CIFCFIN, therefore, prayed the court for an order setting aside and nullifying the award of the qualification or the CFAN certificate, or any other qualification or certificate in the field and practice of forensics in Nigeria by ICAN.
It urged the court to make an order for the defendant to withdraw, retract or cease any publication, gazette notice, or public representation asserting that it has power to certify or license.
CIFCFIN also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining ICAN, its council, etc, from issuing, advertising or recognising CFAN qualification, designation, licence or certification or any title or award identical or similar to those created under the provisions of its Act.
It further sought a declaration that “by the combined provisions of Sections 2(a) -(i), 3(1)(a) and 4(a)- (c), 6(2), 12(2), 13, (1)(0) and (g), 17(1)(a) and (b) and 22 of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (Establishment) Act No. 45. 2022, the defendant cannot offer ‘Certification Programme’ culminating in the award of Certified Forensic Accountant of Nigeria (CFAN).”
