Benue LG Finance Director Honoured As Chartered Forensic Accountant
Lion Dr. Fabian T. Hian, Director of Finance and Treasurer of Ushongo Local Government in Benue State, has been conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of Chartered Forensic Accountant/Auditor (FCCrFA) by the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria.
The award was presented during the Institute’s 3rd Annual General Meeting held at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) Auditorium, Lugbe, Abuja. The gathering drew seasoned professionals and key figures in the accounting and forensic auditing field from across the country.
According to the Institute, forensic investigation involves collecting and analyzing physical and financial evidence to draw conclusions in criminal cases. Dr. Friday Effiong Akpan, Director General of the Nigerian College of Accounting, Kwall, Jos, explained that forensic investigation is critical in legally establishing evidence admissible in court—ranging from financial crimes to more severe offenses like homicide.
Dr. Akpan emphasized the growing importance of specialization within forensic accounting, citing areas such as cyber forensics and cryptocurrency analysis. He highlighted the need for forensic experts to leverage modern technologies like AI-powered algorithms, data analytics tools, and cloud platforms to enhance investigative outcomes.
He further urged professional bodies to set clear ethical standards for forensic accountants, touching on issues like confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and data security. He also advocated for the harmonization of investigative standards, information sharing protocols, and asset recovery mechanisms across jurisdictions.
Responding to his conferment, Dr. Hian described the fellowship as timely and relevant to his professional growth. He expressed gratitude to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for enabling civil servants to upgrade their professional competencies. He noted that such opportunities have allowed public officials to adopt scientific approaches in addressing financial irregularities in line with global accounting practices.
