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The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on examination malpractice following the circulation of a viral video alleging impersonation during one of its examinations.
Earlier on Monday, an exclusive video obtained by SaharaReporters shows a candidate caught sitting the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) examination on behalf of Sarah Enoch Adi, the Commissioner for Finance in Taraba State.
In the recording, exam supervisors question the suspect, who identified herself in the footage as Leavitt Felix.
In a statement signed on Monday by its Registrar/Chief Executive, Lanre Olasunkanmi, the Institute stressed that its examination processes are anchored on global standards of integrity and warned that any attempt to compromise them would attract serious disciplinary measures.
“ICAN wishes to state unequivocally that it maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for all forms of examination malpractice, including impersonation,” Olasunkanmi said.
“The Institute’s examination processes are guided by globally accepted standards of integrity, and any attempt to compromise them is treated with utmost seriousness,” he added.
According to him, “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.”
SaharaReporters had reported that in the video, according to the supervisors, records show that Sarah Enoch Adi was the person for whom she was taking the examination.
A source privy to the records also confirmed to SaharaReporters that the commissioner outsourced the professional exam to the suspect, who identified herself as Felix.
In the video, the suspect confirmed ‘Sarah Enoch Adi’ as the person on whose behalf she was sitting the exam. When asked to state her own name, she responded: ‘Leavitt Felix.’”
In another exclusive video SaharaReporters exposed a case of examination fraud involving a senior banking official in Taraba State.
Pressed further, he disclosed that he resided opposite the Catholic Cathedral at Mile Six in Jalingo and provided his phone number.
The supervisor reminded him that impersonating a candidate in such an exam was a criminal offence.
Moses admitted he was aware but said he agreed to participate after being contacted by one Joshua, whom he identified as a staff member of a Nigerian British School.
The exchange revealed that Moses had already sat for four exam papers on behalf of others before being caught. He admitted this was his first time taking the exam for Emmanuel.
“Repeat the name of the person again,” the supervisor asked.
“Mr. Martins Emmanuel,” Moses said.
A source privy to the development later confirmed to SaharaReporters that Martins Emmanuel is indeed a manager with Access Bank in Taraba State.
However, attempts to reach Kunle Aderinokun, Head of Media and Public Relations at Access Corporation, for comment were unsuccessful.
The incident raises further questions about the integrity of professional certification processes in Nigeria, coming on the heels of another scandal involving Sarah Enoch Adi, the Taraba State Commissioner of Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, who was similarly exposed in an exclusive video for engaging a proxy to write her ICAN exam.
