The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) says it has launched a thorough investigation into allegations of exam malpractice after a viral video surfaced on social media.
The video showed suspected proxies impersonating candidates during an ICAN examination, including a female proxy allegedly writing the exam for a Taraba State commissioner and another individual accused of taking the exam for a bank manager.
A similar video also showed a man being nabbed and was alleged to be writing the examination on behalf of a bank manager.
“As the foremost professional accountancy body in Nigeria, ICAN wishes to state unequivocally that it maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for all forms of examination malpractice, including impersonation,”
In a statement issued by Lanre Olasunkanmi, ICAN’s Registrar/Chief Executive, ICAN, said it maintained a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of examination malpractice, including impersonation.
ICAN reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the integrity of its examination processes, emphasising a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of exam malpractice, including impersonation.
”The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has noted a video currently circulating on social media alleging impersonation during one of its examinations.
”As the foremost professional accountancy body in Nigeria, ICAN wishes to state unequivocally that it maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for all forms of examination malpractice, including impersonation.
”The Institute’s examination processes are guided by globally accepted standards of integrity, and any attempt to compromise them is treated with utmost seriousness, ” the statement said.
The statement said that the institute has commenced a thorough investigation into the matter, promising to apply appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with established regulations.
It said that the findings of the investigation would be communicated transparently to stakeholders.
ICAN urged the public to refrain from speculation or drawing conclusions based on unverified claims.
”In line with this commitment, ICAN has commenced a thorough investigation into the matter. Appropriate disciplinary measures will be applied in accordance with established regulations, and the findings will be communicated transparently to stakeholders.
”The Institute therefore urges the public to refrain from speculation or drawing conclusions based on unverified claims. ICAN remains firmly committed to safeguarding the credibility of its examinations and protecting the reputation of the accounting profession in Nigeria and beyond.”
Meanwhile, the Taraba State Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economy, Sarah Adi, has denied allegations that she sponsored the impersonator.
In a telephone interview, Adi claimed that a powerful cartel was attempting to tarnish her public image.
“It started with labour action in the state, where they mobilised people and asked that they protest against me for expunging alleged ghost workers,” she said, adding that she has the confidence of her boss, the governor.
The alleged exam malpractice has raised concerns about the credibility of professional certification processes in Nigeria.
ICAN’s investigation aimed to safeguard the integrity of its examinations and protect the reputation of the accounting profession.
