An evaluation of property rating practice in nigeria (a case study of enugu north local government area)

Project Abstract

Property rating is a crucial aspect of local government revenue generation in Nigeria. However, the practice of property rating in Nigeria, particularly in Enugu North Local Government Area, has been marred by various challenges and inefficiencies. This study aims to evaluate the property rating practice in Enugu North Local Government Area to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that exist within the current system. The research methodology employed in this study is a mixed-method approach that combines both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. A sample of property owners in Enugu North Local Government Area will be selected to participate in surveys and interviews to gather relevant data on their experiences with the property rating system. Additionally, relevant government officials and experts in property valuation will be interviewed to provide insights into the current practices and challenges in property rating. The findings of this study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the property rating practice in Enugu North Local Government Area. The strengths of the current system, such as its potential for revenue generation and equity in taxation, will be identified. However, the weaknesses, including inefficiencies in property valuation, lack of transparency, and corruption in the assessment process, will also be highlighted. Opportunities for improvement, such as the adoption of technology for property data management and valuation, as well as capacity building for staff involved in property rating, will be explored. The study will also identify threats to the effective implementation of property rating in Enugu North Local Government Area, such as resistance from property owners, inadequate legal frameworks, and political interference. Recommendations will be made based on the findings of the study to address the identified weaknesses and threats, and to leverage the strengths and opportunities within the property rating system. Overall, this research will contribute to the body of knowledge on property rating practices in Nigeria, particularly in Enugu North Local Government Area. By evaluating the existing system and providing recommendations for improvement, this study aims to support local government authorities in enhancing their revenue generation efforts through effective property rating practices.

Project Overview

<p> </p><p><strong>INTRODUCTION</strong></p><p>Mobile wise geek (2011) defined fraud as a deliberate misrepresentation that causes a form of monetary losses. All of these are usually required for an act to be considered fraud, if someone lied about his name.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>United states legal (2011), defined fraud an international misrepresentation of material existing facts made by one person to another with the knowledge of its falsity and for the purpose of inducing the other person to act, and upon which the other person relies with resulting injuries or damages.</p><p>Fraud &nbsp;has &nbsp;been &nbsp;in &nbsp;existence &nbsp;from &nbsp;the &nbsp;beginning &nbsp;of &nbsp;creation, &nbsp;and &nbsp;the increase of fraud on daily basis brought about forensic auditing.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Forensic &nbsp;auditing &nbsp;is &nbsp;defined &nbsp;as &nbsp;the &nbsp;activity &nbsp;that &nbsp;consist &nbsp;of &nbsp;gathering, verifying, processing, analyzing of and reporting of data in order to obtain facts and /or evidence in the area of legal of financial disputes and or irregularities including fraud and giving preventative advice. IFA (2011).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Fraud is an independent criminal offence, and it is the main phenomenon that gave birth to forensic auditing, especially those related to economic crime. These economic crimes are known to be an unpleasant fact and a disheartening issue in</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>the &nbsp;heart &nbsp;of &nbsp;many &nbsp;organizations, &nbsp;and &nbsp;the &nbsp;control &nbsp;of &nbsp;it, &nbsp;is &nbsp;a &nbsp;concern &nbsp;for &nbsp;any organization that employs employees, accountants or other hired professional that have access to the organization’s income, receipts or funds.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Therefore, we are faced &nbsp;with &nbsp;the &nbsp;inescapable &nbsp;conclusion &nbsp;that &nbsp;forensic auditors are charged with the responsibility of controlling and preventing those fraudulent practices.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1</strong><strong>.1 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p><strong>Brief History of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has grown to a robust and reputable national institution that now commands respect. They have gained the admiration of Nigerians and tge international community as a whole as the most vibrant anti-corruption fighting organization that has fought corruption to a standstill within the short time of its existence.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Over the years, Nigeria suffered tremendously in her economy in the hands of corrupt leaders who for selfish reasons reduced a country like Nigeria which is rich in oil to one of the poorest countries in the world. All these brought about the establishment of EFCC.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li><strong>i</strong><strong>. Formation of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)</strong></li></ol><p>The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was established in</p><p>2003 &nbsp;by &nbsp;the &nbsp;Economic &nbsp;and &nbsp;Financial &nbsp;Crimes &nbsp;Commission &nbsp;Act &nbsp;2002, &nbsp;and &nbsp;re- enacted in 2004 by the Act as a body corporate with perpetual succession and common seal. It has its headquarter at No 5 Fomella Street, Off Crescent, Wuse 11, Abuja. &nbsp;With &nbsp;Nuhu Ribadu &nbsp;as &nbsp;the &nbsp;first executive &nbsp;chairman &nbsp;until 2008 &nbsp;he &nbsp;was replaced by Fomida Waziri, and Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde was appointed the chairman of the commission on 15th &nbsp;February 2012 and he is still the substantive chairman till date.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Its establishment was partially in response to pressure from the financial task force &nbsp;on &nbsp;money &nbsp;laundering &nbsp;(FATF), &nbsp;which &nbsp;named &nbsp;Nigeria &nbsp;as &nbsp;one &nbsp;of &nbsp;the &nbsp;23 countries &nbsp;non-corporative &nbsp;in &nbsp;international &nbsp;communities’ &nbsp;effort &nbsp;to &nbsp;fight &nbsp;money laundering.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li><strong>ii</strong><strong>. Vision statement:</strong>&nbsp; To &nbsp;make &nbsp;Nigeria &nbsp;a &nbsp;safe &nbsp;and &nbsp;corrupt &nbsp;free &nbsp;business environment for sound health and positive image of the country.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>i</strong><strong>i</strong><strong>i</strong><strong>. Mission statement:</strong>&nbsp;The mission statement of the commission includes;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>To curb the menace of corruption that constitutes the cog in the wheel of progress of Nigerians.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>b. To protect national and foreign investments in the country.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>To imbibe the spirit of hard work in the citizenry and discourage ill-gotten wealth.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>d. To identify illegally acquired wealth and confiscate it.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>To build an upright workforce in both public and private sector of the economy.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>To contribute to the global war against financial crimes and terrorism financing in Nigeria.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1</strong><strong>.2 &nbsp; &nbsp;STATEMENT OF THE PROBLE</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In this study, there are certain problems that are related to the application of forensic auditing and the include;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>1. Insufficient skilled manpower for the use of automated tools or softw</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>2. Insufficient documented materials for investigating suspects.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>3. Inadequate techniques for obtaining eviden</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>4. High cost of analysis.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1</strong><strong>.3 &nbsp; &nbsp;STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The general objectives of the study, is to examine the role of automated forensic auditing on fraud control, while the specific objectives of the study are as follows.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>1. To determine why there are insufficient skilled manpower needed for operating automated tools.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>2. To investigate the reasons for insufficient documented materials.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>3. To examine the cause of not obtaining enough techniques used as evidenc</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>4. To evaluate the reasons for high cost of analysis.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1</strong><strong>.4 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;RESEARCH QUESTION</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Based on the foregoing, the following research questions were formulated:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>i. Is there any significant relationship between automated forensic auditing and fraud control?</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>ii. Are there &nbsp;methods &nbsp;adopted &nbsp;to &nbsp;adequately &nbsp;train &nbsp;forensic &nbsp;auditors &nbsp;with investigative skills?</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><p>iii. Are these measures employed to solve the problem of insufficient documented materials necessary for investigating suspects?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>iv. Are these &nbsp;standards &nbsp;set &nbsp;for &nbsp;improving &nbsp;on &nbsp;techniques &nbsp;that &nbsp;are &nbsp;meant &nbsp;for obtaining evidence?</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1</strong><strong>.5 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;RESEARCH HYPOTHESES</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The following are the hypotheses to be tested.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Ho1: &nbsp;There is no significant relationship between automated forensic auditing and fraud control.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>HA1: &nbsp;There is a significant relationship between automated forensic auditing and fraud control.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Ho2: &nbsp;There are no methods adopted to adequately train forensic auditors with investigative skills.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>HA2: &nbsp; &nbsp;There &nbsp;are &nbsp;methods &nbsp;adopted &nbsp;to &nbsp;adequately &nbsp;train &nbsp;forensic &nbsp;auditors &nbsp;with investigative skills.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>H03: &nbsp; &nbsp;There &nbsp;are &nbsp;no &nbsp;measures &nbsp;employed &nbsp;to &nbsp;solve &nbsp;the &nbsp;problem &nbsp;of &nbsp;insufficient documented materials necessary for investigating suspects.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>HA3: &nbsp; &nbsp;There &nbsp;are &nbsp;measures &nbsp;employed &nbsp;to &nbsp;solve &nbsp;the &nbsp;problem &nbsp;of &nbsp;insufficient documented materials necessary for investigating suspects.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1</strong><strong>.6 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This study of forensic auditing will be helpful to the following categories of users.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For Management: It will serve as a reference document for management to use as a guide for investigating and controlling fraud.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For Auditors: It will serve as a revision kit for practicing auditors in the field.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For the Public: It will add to existing knowledge by exposing the public on the matter &nbsp;of &nbsp;fraud, &nbsp;making &nbsp;them &nbsp;know &nbsp;that &nbsp;even &nbsp;if &nbsp;fraud &nbsp;cannot &nbsp;be &nbsp;completely eradicated, it can be controlled.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For Researchers/Analyst: It will serve for future research study.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1</strong><strong>.7. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;SCOPE OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This &nbsp;study &nbsp;covers &nbsp;the &nbsp;activities &nbsp;of &nbsp;the &nbsp;Economic &nbsp;and &nbsp;Financial &nbsp;Crime Commission (EFCC), in Nigeria, especially the branch that is situated in Port- Harcourt.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1</strong><strong>.8. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This research work was faced with certain challenges owing to the fact that the topic in question is not yet widely known. VI2:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>i. Inadequate Materials: This was the major constraint of the research work, for it was limited to few materials and mainly on internet.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>ii. Time Factor: This is another factor that limited the flow of this research work. Time factor is a constraints limitation the study. Inadequate time to work due to some school activities that restricts student from going out to research.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><p>iii. Distance: &nbsp;The different location of where the materials are to be gathered from posed a problem to this work, since it requires going from one accounting firm to another to gather facts relating to the topic.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>iv. School Exeat: Here getting permission to sign out of school is a very big problem to the research School exeat sometimes limits us student from gathering enough material for our work.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><ol><li>v. Fund: This serves as a major constraint to the research work. Enough funds are required in getting materials for this work.</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1</strong><strong>.9. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;DEFINITION OF TERMS</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>AU</strong><strong>TOMATION:</strong>&nbsp;This is the use of control systems and information technology to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>F</strong><strong>ORENSIC:</strong>&nbsp;Belonging to, used in or suitable to courts of judicature.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>FRAUD</strong><strong>:</strong>&nbsp;Irregularities involving the use of criminal detection to obtain unjust or illegal advantage.</p> <br><p></p>