ACFE, Stakeholders Partner Against Fraud

 Omolabake Fasogbon 

With rising fraud cases in the country and their ripple effects on the economy, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), South West Nigeria Chapter, has renewed its commitment to confronting this threat by forging partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

The association pledged to deploy its expertise and technical support, working with banks and anti-graft agencies to develop effective frameworks for timely recovery of fraudulent transfers and strengthen trust in Nigeria’s financial system.

It reiterated this at its 9th National Conference and investiture of Dr. Pius Edobor as the fifth President in Lagos recently.

The conference, themed “Technology Vs Trust – Strengthening Digital Governance & Fraud Resolution,” brought together stakeholders in the fraud discipline, including regulators, investigators, auditors, risk managers, compliance professionals, and thought leaders to explore trends and strategies in fraud prevention, detection, and investigation.

Speaking,  Edobor  said his administration’s focus stems from the evolving fraud landscape, adding that priorities are set on collaboration with financial institutions and relevant agencies to tackle fraud and recover its proceeds.

He emphasised that the Chapter’s strategy would be deliberate, strategic, and impact-driven, with capacity building as a central pillar.

He further noted that with a rapidly evolving fraud landscape, continuous learning has become essential, which he affirmed the association will scale up.

He said, “We shall be expanding certification support and equipping our members with cutting-edge tools and knowledge to stay ahead of emerging fraud risks. We are intentional about enhancing ACFE’s visibility and positioning it as a foremost fraud-fighting organisation.

“Through thought leadership, public engagement, and strategic communication, we shall ensure that our voice is heard, our expertise is recognised, and our relevance is undeniable.”

Edobor thus called for support to advance the association’s objectives and mandates, which also include engagement with younger professionals across citadels of learning and creating opportunities for professional growth among members.

The conference Chairman, Sheri Adegbenro stressed collaboration and innovation as key to surmounting evolving fraud risks, noting that the conference theme reflects the Chapter’s focus on capacity building and partnerships in a changing risk environment.

“In an environment where fraud risks continue to evolve in complexity and sophistication, our collective responsibility to stay ahead through knowledge, collaboration, and innovation has never been more important,” she said.

In her valedictory speech, the immediate past President of ACFE, Dr. Lydia Halimat Ajayi  expressed appreciation for the trust and support she received during her tenure, asking same for Edobor, whom she vouched for  his leadership.