A Justice of the Supreme Court, Moore Aseimo Adumein, has said forensic practice has become central to Nigeria’s justice administration, offering clarity, strengthening evidence-based decisions, and deepening institutional accountability.
Justice Adumein stated this at the second Founders’ Day anniversary of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), held at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
He said forensic practice now plays both direct and indirect roles in bolstering operational processes and institutional integrity, noting that the justice system relies heavily on credible evidence, effective investigation, and proper case management.
Commending CIFCFIN for introducing modern techniques to tackle digital offences, cybercrimes, and other emerging threats, Justice Adumein said the Institute continues to engage with international investigative standards and advocate their adoption in sensitive national processes, including electoral system management and public sector reforms.
These practices must be guided by credible reports, transparency, and professionalism, he advocated.
He highlighted the Institute’s training and capacity-building achievements, noting that more than 5,000 forensic professionals have been trained within and outside the country since CIFCFIN’s establishment. According to him, this has deepened institutional knowledge, strengthened professional competence, and improved national capacity to address complex threats.
These efforts have reinforced control systems, improved organisational resilience, and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s ability to confront increasingly sophisticated challenges, he said.
In his keynote address, Founder and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Iliyasu Gashinbaki, said the Institute’s second Founders’ Day was not just an anniversary but a reflection on an institution that has become “a national pillar against corruption, financial crimes, and systemic decay.”
He described CIFCFIN as one of the most significant interventions in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework and criminal justice system, stressing that no nation can thrive without justice, accountability, and truth.
Gashinbaki also urged the Federal Government to review the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to reflect contemporary realities. In an era of digitally sophisticated corruption, he said, unrestricted access to timely and accurate information is vital for effective forensic investigation and national accountability.
He commended the Co-Founders—whom he referred to as the “12 wise men”—for their foresight and resilience during the push for the Institute’s Establishment Bill, as well as the contributions of former House Committee Chairman on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, and Senator (Prof.) Ajayi Boroffice, who championed the bill through the National Assembly.
CIFCFIN became the first forensic institute in Nigeria to be chartered by statute following the passage of its Establishment Bill by the National Assembly and its assent by former President Muhammadu Buhari on December 23, 2022.
