The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) have advocated for the deployment of forensic analysis on issues pertaining to certificate verification — ahead of the 2027 general election.
Forensic refers to the application of scientific methods, techniques, and specialised knowledge to investigate crimes, analyse evidence, and resolve legal disputes.
The bodies made the call in February 2026 when the management team of CIFCFIN, led by Iliyasu Gashinbaki, the chairman of the governing council, visited the NBA headquarters.
Speaking during the visit, Afam Osigwe, NBA president, said deployment of forensic science can strengthen Nigeria’s judicial system and safeguard the country’s democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.
Osigwe said aspiring political officeholders must be thoroughly certified and vetted for public offices.
“Issues such as certificate forgery and document manipulation have repeatedly embarrassed our institutions and weakened public confidence. We must gate keep more effectively,” the NBA president said.
“Independent, professionally regulated forensic services are essential.
“Our institutional integrity suffers when unqualified individuals gain entry and are exposed only because someone petitions against them.”
He cited the June 2025 recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), where 10 judges from the high court of Imo state, and the customary court of appeal in the state, were compulsorily retired over age falsification.
The NBA president added that Nigeria must demonstrate that the country is “serious about combating money laundering, fraud, corruption, terrorism financing, and related financial crimes”.
“In some instances, multiple entities present conflicting documents, each purporting to be authentic. The issue extends even to consent judgments and other court processes,” he said.
“This is not a minor problem. It touches on the credibility of our courts and our profession.
“Nigeria has reached the point where people should move beyond reacting to fraud after it has caused damage. Systems should be built to prevent it from happening in the first place to save costs from investigation and prosecution.”
Also speaking, Gashinbaki said the institute recognises the importance of forensic science in all the stages of the electoral process in Nigeria.
He said the institute has engaged the leadership of political parties to promote the importance of forensic verification within the electoral system.
He said proper vetting of candidates before party primaries would significantly reduce electoral disputes as well as prevent the recurring national embarrassment.
“With the 2027 general elections approaching, the institute recognises the vital role of forensic science in the electoral process, from pre-primary activities to election management and post-elections litigation support,” Gashinbaki said.
“During these engagements, it was highlighted that several electoral disputes and losses — particularly those linked to allegations of certificate forgery, could have been prevented through the early deployment of forensic analysis.”
