The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 24 for hearing in a suit challenging the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria’s (ICAN) power to train and certify forensic professionals.
The suit was filed by the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
The case, initially scheduled for mention on Tuesday, was adjourned to allow the parties to properly appear before the court.
CIFCFIN argued that ICAN lacks the power to offer a certification programme leading to the award of Certified Forensic Accountant of Nigeria (CFAN) certificates.
The institute alleged that ICAN’s invitation for applicants to participate in a seven-day professional certification programme was outside its statutory mandate and could create confusion for the public.
CIFCFIN is seeking an order nullifying any CFAN certificates or other forensic qualifications issued by ICAN, as well as an injunction restraining the institute from issuing, advertising or recognising the certification.
It is also asking the court to declare that ICAN cannot offer a certification programme culminating in the award of CFAN under the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2022.
