IGP Disu, ICAN Seek Stronger Police Capacity to Tackle Complex Financial Crimes
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has sought a stronger partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to enhance forensic accounting, financial investigations and the prosecution of complex economic crimes.
The development was contained in a statement signed by CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, following a courtesy visit to the IGP by the President and Chairman of Council of ICAN, Hajia Queensley Sofuratu Seghosime, mni, FCA, and her delegation at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
During the meeting, the ICAN delegation congratulated Disu on his appointment as IGP and commended his administration’s focus on accountability, modernisation and institutional reform.
The engagement focused on the growing sophistication of financial and economic crimes and the need to equip police investigators with specialised knowledge and modern forensic tools to effectively investigate and prosecute such offences.
ICAN proposed structured collaboration with the Police Force, including forensic accounting certification programmes for police investigators, specialised training for detectives and opportunities for cadets of the Police Academy to obtain the Accounting Technician Scheme for West Africa (ATSWA) certification.
The two institutions also explored the establishment of a dedicated Police-ICAN response mechanism for high-profile financial fraud cases. The proposed mechanism is expected to deploy professional accounting expertise to strengthen investigations, evidence development and prosecution of complex financial crimes.
Welcoming the initiative, IGP Disu stressed that contemporary policing requires specialised expertise and strategic partnerships with professional institutions.
“Modern policing requires specialised knowledge and strategic collaboration with professional institutions,” the IGP said.
Disu further proposed a joint awareness campaign by the Nigeria Police Force and ICAN aimed at educating businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on fraud prevention, early detection and responsible financial practices.
The Police said the proposed partnership would form part of broader efforts to strengthen its capacity to combat financial and economic crimes through specialised training, professional collaboration and the adoption of modern investigative techniques.
The Force reaffirmed its commitment to deepening accountability and professionalism in the fight against emerging forms of criminality, particularly sophisticated financial and economic crimes.
