Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) have canvassed the infusion of forensics in the forthcoming 2027 general elections to eradicate fraud, forgery and strengthen institutions.

This was disclosed when the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), alongside the General Secretary and other executives, received council members and the management team of CIFCFIN led by the Founder/Chairman, Governing Council, Dr Iliyasu Gashinbaki, at the NBA’s National Secretariat in Abuja,

Osigwe emphasised that forensic science can strengthen the country’s judicial system, enhance institutional credibility and safeguard the nation’s democracy, especially as Nigerians look ahead to the 2027 general elections.

“Issues such as certificate forgery and document manipulation have repeatedly embarrassed our institutions and weakened public confidence. We must gatekeep more effectively,” he stated, adding: “Independent, professionally regulated forensic services are essential.”

The NBA boss stressed that when people present themselves for public appointments, there must be thorough gatekeeping, noting: “Our institutional integrity suffers when unqualified individuals gain entry and are exposed only because someone petitions against them.”

He described the partnership between CIFCFIN and NBA as very timely, strategic and necessary to build a country where integrity is verified, systems are trusted, and fraud is prevented before it takes root.

He said the NBA is also ready to collaborate in raising awareness, building capacity for the Bench and Bar, and strengthening systems that ensure documents and transactions emanating from Nigeria are trustworthy.

He commended CIFCFIN’s president and his team for the work they are doing to institutionalise forensic standards in Nigeria, noting that a modern justice system cannot function optimally without credible forensic analysis, whether in document verification, digital investigations or financial tracing.

Earlier, Gashinbaki said since receiving its charter, CIFCFIN has trained over 6000 members, including a substantial number of legal practitioners, within the last three years.

He added that the institute had also actively engaged the three arms and tiers of government to re-emphasise the importance of forensic science in governance and justice administration.

He revealed that the institute engaged the leadership of all registered political parties in Nigeria through strategic meetings that were aimed at promoting awareness of the importance of forensic verification within the electoral system.

He submitted that proper vetting of candidates before party primaries would significantly reduce electoral disputes as well as prevent the recurring national embarrassment associated with credential-related controversies.