Forensic accounting and fraudulent practices in the Nigerian public sector

Abstract

The broad objective of this study was to examine forensic accounting and fraudulent practices in the Nigerian public sector. The specific objective was to find out if there exists a significant relationship between forensic accounting and fraudulent practices in Nigerian public sector. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. The study population consisted of all public institutions in Edo State, Nigeria. However, ten (10) government establishments, both Federal and State owned, were randomly selected. Structured four-scale Likert-type questionnaire was used as the research instrument to elicit responses from the respondents who were mainly internal auditors, chief accountants, executive directors and directors of the selected institutions. The data were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages method. Findings made indicated that there is a significant relationship between forensic accounting and reduction of fraudulent practices in the Nigerian public sector; and the prevalence of fraudulent practices in the Nigerian public sector has brought set back to the economy, untold hardship to the citizens and shame to the country in general before the international communities. It is therefore recommended that government and regulatory authorities need to ensure the provision of standards and guidelines to regulate forensic activities and above all, Nigerians should embrace integrity, objectivity, fairness and accountability in their day-to-day activities particularly in the public sector.

Keywords: Forensic accounting, fraudulent practices, frauds, forensic accountants