Forensic Accounting Techniques and Financial Crime Detection and Prevention: Evidence from Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fujafr-2026.v4i3.420.412-426Keywords:
Forensic accounting techniques, Financial crime detection, Financial crime preventionAbstract
Purpose: This study examines the effect of forensic accounting techniques on financial crime detection and prevention in Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), focusing on data analytics, digital forensics, and forensic document examination.
Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from EFCC personnel involved in Investigation, Forensic Accounting, Intelligence, Audit, and Legal/Prosecution functions using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire. Of the 157 questionnaires administered, 152 were retrieved, two were excluded, and 150 valid responses were analysed. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with SPSS 29 and SmartPLS 4.
Results and conclusion: The findings revealed that data analytics had a significant positive effect on financial crime detection but no statistically significant effect on prevention. Digital forensics and forensic document examination had significant positive effects on both financial crime detection and prevention. The study concludes that forensic accounting techniques contribute differently to financial crime control, with their effectiveness depending on the specific control outcome examined.
Implication of findings: The findings highlight the need for the EFCC to strengthen its use of digital forensics and forensic document examination while sustaining data analytics capabilities for financial crime detection. They also provide empirical evidence to guide institutional capacity development and the targeted deployment of forensic accounting techniques for financial crime control.
References
Adamu, H., Effiong, S. A., & Andortan, A. S. (2026). Forensic accounting techniques and occupational fraud. FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research [FUJAFR], 4(2), 445–457.
Akinbowale, O. E., Klingelhöfer, H. E., & Zerihun, M. F. (2020). An innovative approach in combating economic crime using forensic accounting techniques. Journal of Financial Crime, 27(4), 1253–1271.
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. (2024). Occupational fraud 2024: A report to the nations. https://www.acfe.com/-/media/files/acfe/pdfs/rttn/2024/2024-report-to-the-nations.pdf
Becker, G. S. (1968). Crime and punishment: An economic approach. Journal of Political Economy, 76(2), 169–217.
Casey, E. (2011). Digital evidence and computer crime: Forensic science, computers, and the Internet (3rd ed.). Academic Press.
Federal Republic of Nigeria. (2004). Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004. Federal Government Printer.
Kankpang, A. K., Ogar-Abang, J. O., & Animpuye, C. (2024). Forensic accounting and fraud prevention and detection in commercial banks in Nigeria. AKSU Journal of Management Sciences, 9(1), 106–128.
Kapo, A., Turulja, L., & Vidačak, Z. (2024). Innovative approaches in forensic accounting: The role of data analytics. Journal of Forensic Accounting Profession, 4(1),
1–14.
Kranacher, M.-J., & Riley, R. (2020). Forensic accounting and fraud examination (2nd ed.). Wiley.
Oboh, J. O., Andortan, S. A., Ntum, F. U., & Otuagoma, F. O. (2026). Forensic accounting techniques and fraud control in the Nigerian public sector: The moderating role of financial inclusion. FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research, 4(3), 1–17.
Ofoje, B. C., & Aggreh, M. (2023). Computerized forensic investigation technique and fraud detection in the public sector: Perception of professional accountants in Anambra State. Journal of Global Accounting, 9(1),407-447. https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/joga/article/view/2074
Ogar, P., Effiong, S. A., & Adamu, H. S. (2026). Forensic accounting and money laundering detection of listed commercial banks in Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research, 4(2), 216–227.
Ogbaini, A. C., Akpor, A. A., Oboh, R., Oputa, J. E., & Marvis, V. B. (2024). The role of forensic accounting in fraud detection and prevention in Nigerian public sector: A case study of Lagos, Nigeria. Pedagogik: Jurnal Pendidikan, 19(1), 71–83.
Olaniyan, N. O., Ekundayo, A. T., Oluwadare, O. E., & Bamisaye, T. O. (2021). Forensic accounting as an instrument for fraud detection and prevention in the public sector: Moderating on ministries, departments and agencies in Nigeria. Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Oeconomia, 20(1), 49–59.
Oluyide, S. E. (2025). The impact of forensic accounting techniques in mitigating electronic fraud in Nigeria's deposit money banks. Journal of Forensic Accounting Profession, 5(1), 43–63.
Wells, J. T. (2014). Corporate fraud handbook: Prevention and detection (4th ed.). Wiley.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Rihanat Onize Amin, Ibrahim Yakasai Aminu, Josephine Chinelo Ene
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research (FUJAFR) operates a copyright policy that ensures a balance between author rights and wide dissemination of scholarly work.
1. Author Copyright Retention
Authors retain full copyright of their published work without restriction. Submission to FUJAFR does not transfer ownership of copyright to the journal.
2. License to Publish
By submitting a manuscript and upon acceptance, authors grant FUJAFR:
- The right to publish, reproduce, and distribute the article
- The right to identify itself as the original publisher of the work
This grant is non-exclusive, meaning authors are free to reuse their work in other contexts, provided proper acknowledgment of the original publication in FUJAFR is made.
3. Licensing of Published Content
All articles are published under the:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Under this license:
- Users may share and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes only
- Proper attribution to the author(s) and the journal is required
- Any commercial use requires explicit permission from the copyright holder
4. Author Reuse Rights
Authors are permitted to:
- Archive their published articles in institutional repositories or personal websites
- Share their work for educational and research purposes
- Reuse portions of their work in future publications (e.g., books or other articles), provided proper citation of the original publication is included
5. Third-Party Content
Authors are responsible for obtaining permission to use any third-party copyrighted material (e.g., images, tables, datasets) included in their manuscripts. Proper acknowledgment must be provided where required.
6. Attribution Requirement
All users of FUJAFR content must provide appropriate credit, including:
- Author name(s)
- Article title
- Journal name (FUJAFR)
- Year of publication
