EFFECT OF FORENSIC ACOUNTING TECHNIQUES ON ACCOUNTABILLITY OF BANKS IN OGOJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

ABSTRACT This study on the impact of government debt on economic growth in Nigeria was carried out to evaluate the effect offorensic accounting techniques on accountability of banks in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to; determine the effect of commercial data mining technique (CDM) fraud prevention and detection in commercial banks in Nigeria, examine the effect of the application of ratio analysis technique (RAS) IN fraud preventionand detection in commercial banks in Nigeria, ascertain the application of trend analysis technique (TRD) prevents or detects fraud in commercial banks in Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study because it focuses on a definite person(s). group(s), organization or issue(s). The population of the study consisted of170 senior and management staff of the 15 commercial banks branches in Cross Rivers State. They include accountants, auditors, 1T specialists and economists from where a sample size of one hundred and forty (l40) was selected using purposeful sampling. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression.The findings of the study revealed that commercial data mining software is a veritable in detecting and preventing fraudulent practices in the banking sector, the importance of ratio analysis technique as itis also a veritable tool to detect and prevent fraudulent activities in the banking operations, theimportance of trend analysis technique in detecting and preventing fraudulent practices. Based on thefindings of the study it was recommended that; all commercial banks as a regulatory policy should bemandated to install robust commercial data mining software in their internal audit units and Servers across the branches. Also as the banks embraces technology. there should be human capacity buildingthrough stat training in information technology system. Finally, the data mining software shouldincorporate features that will capture independently from the branch management instances wheredeposits and withdrawals from same account are made on a given date to be used in cross checkingthe exception reports from branches on the subject matter.