Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Forensic Audit and Fraud Detection and Prevention in the Nigerian Banking Sector

For correspondence:-    

Received: September 30, 2019        Accepted: September 21, 2019        Published: September 30, 2019

Citation: Forensic Audit and Fraud Detection and Prevention in the Nigerian Banking Sector. Account Tax Rev 2004; 3(3):121-139 doi:

© 2004 The authors.
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Abstract

This study examined the impact of forensic audit on fraud detection and prevention in the Nigerian banking sector. The study took a census of the 16 Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as at 31^st December, 2016. The study used the secondary source to collect data from the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporations’ (NDICs) annual reports of 2013 and 2016 respectively. The study covered a period of five (5) years spanning 2012-2016. Data generated were analyzed using charts, graphs, tables and regression. Our findings revealed that forensic audit has a significant negative impact on number of fraud cases, number of staff involved in bank fraud, and actual amount of bank losses through fraud in the Nigerian banking sector. However, forensic auditing has insignificant impact on expected losses generated through fraud activities in the Nigerian banks. This study recommends that banks in Nigeria should intensify the application of forensic auditing in the fight against fraud and forgeries in the system. Also, forensic auditing should be focused on detecting number of fraud as well as staff involvement in the Nigerian banking sector. Staff welfare and remunerations should be prioritized since staff are strategic in the prevention of fraud in any organisation, including the banks in Nigeria.  

Keywords: Forensic audit, fraud detection, fraud prevention, banking sector, Nigeria.