The protem President of the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (CIFIPN), Dr Victoria Enape has said the lack of enough evidence gathering using science and technology before prosecution has caused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to lose so many cases in court.
Dr Enape made this known at the induction ceremony of over 50 new members across various disciplines in forensic investigation, which took place at the Secretariat of the Institute in Abuja on Saturday.
Enape, who said this has emboldened criminals in both the public and private institutions to continue in their corrupt ways, stressed that evidence gathering is very important for any investigation to be successful.
According to her, this is why the institute is assisting the government in the fight against corruption.
“The institute is assisting in the fight against corruption. In Nigeria, the lack of evidence has resulted to several cases being lost, and crime scene investigation is a crucial area we are educating our members on”.
She said further that: “with a thorough investigation on a crime scene a forensic professional will unravel everything as everyone is a suspect until proven beyond all reasonable doubt”.
Enape stressed that unless investigators gather enough evidence using science and technology in any case they are investigating for prosecution with concrete proofs attached, going to court would be an exercise in futility.
“Evidence is key in every trial and the duty of the Institute is to educate members on how to preserve evidence, analyse it before presentation. That way you win your cases in court,” she said.
Dr. Enape further explained why the institute is training members on ways to conduct thorough evidence based investigation using the “Fraud triangle” stating that financial crimes now have become more wide and sophisticated.
“Financial Crimes is not all we train our members on now, we have cyber crimes, internet fraud, kidnapping and many more but our training has enabled us to trace any of these crimes. Financial Crimes is all encompassing,” Dr Enape said.
She also explained how the fraud triangle functions, stating the motives that lead people in committing fraud in any society as opportunity, incentive and pressure.
“The number one thing that push people to commit fraud is pressure and this is when you are challenged financially and you seek other ways to solve those challenges.
Another is Incentive and this is when you take solace in people who have committed fraud and got away without being caught and the last is opportunity, which many today take advantage of,” Enape said.
Amongst those inducted are Bashiru Tijani Babajo as a fellow of the institute and Mohammed Agbali, who was inducted here in Nigeria but is a fellow of the Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of the United States of America, while over 50 others were inducted as members.
The bill establishing the Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria has been passed by both Chambers of National Assembly and right now waiting for final assent by the President Muhammadu Buhari.