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Some law graduates from the 2024/2025 academic session of the Nigerian Law School have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging fraud in a professional training programme.

In a petition dated September 17 and co-signed by Mr. Goodluck Enebeli and Mr. Freedom Eje, the graduates urged the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to investigate the Mediation Training Institute (MTI) and the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC).

MTI, a private training provider, partnered with ICMC, a government-recognised body mandated to train lawyers in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Together with the International Law Association (ILA), the two organisations reportedly designed an ADR skills accreditation and certification course.

According to the petitioners, about 905 students registered for the training, paying N130,000 each for the programme and an additional N30,000 for a physical induction ceremony. They alleged that MTI and ICMC promised them three certifications: Associate of ICMC, Accredited Mediator of MTI, and Member of ILA.

The induction was initially fixed for Monday, September 22, a day before their Call to Bar. However, just days before the event, participants said they were informed that only two certifications would be issued, while the much-anticipated induction, for which they had paid separately, would now be conducted virtually.

“The institutions further promised us a physical induction with a variety of activities, including a robust dinner/meal, however they have now announced a virtual induction. Whereas, we have paid N30,000 for the physical induction,” the petition read.

They further alleged: “The conduct of the institutes amounts to obtaining money under false pretenses, abuse of trust, and possible diversion of funds collected from hundreds of students nationwide.”

The graduates asked the EFCC to investigate the financial dealings of both MTI and ICMC, determine the sums collected, and account for how the funds were used. They also demanded that the EFCC should “prosecute any person(s) found culpable of misappropriation or fraud and take necessary steps to protect the interest of affected students.

Their demands included either immediate induction with all promised certifications or a refund of all payments with interest.

In response, an ICMC official dismissed claims that the institute withheld funds from MTI. He explained that in 2023, MTI faced financial shortfalls while handling student induction.

“For the 2024 students, who are the petitioners, we were supposed to induct them in January this year. To avoid the last issue, we wrote to the MTI MD to give us a breakdown of the number of students trained so we could start planning. He did not respond. We wrote a second letter; he did not respond. We wrote a third letter, he did not respond. So, we terminated our MoU with MTI and wrote to the Nigerian Law School that MTI is no longer our representative,” he stated.

The ICMC further explained its position: “Based on that, the law school DG gave directives to the deputy director general that ICMC is the only recognised training for the Nigerian law school.”

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said he was not aware of the petition. However, an acknowledgement copy stamped by the agency confirmed that the petition was received on Thursday

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