The Nigerian Branch of the International Law Association (ILA) has issued a public clarification distancing itself from an alleged fraud scandal involving law students from the Nigerian Law School, following a petition filed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by affected graduates.
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In a statement released today, the ILA emphasized that its role in a recent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) certification program was limited to nominating eligible students for membership, with no involvement in any additional fees beyond its standard student rate of ₦5,000. The clarification comes amid accusations of financial impropriety leveled against the Mediation Training Institute (MTI) and the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) by approximately 905 students from the 2024/2025 academic session.
The controversy erupted after the students, led by petitioners Mr. Goodluck Enebeli and Mr. Freedom Eje, filed a formal complaint with EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede on September 17. In their letter, the graduates alleged “financial impropriety, misrepresentation, and fraudulent inducement” in a collaborative training program promising three certifications: Associate of ICMC, Accredited Mediator of MTI, and Member of ILA. Participants reportedly paid ₦130,000 for the training course and an additional ₦30,000 each for a promised physical induction ceremony scheduled for September 22.
However, days before the event, the students were notified that only two certifications would be provided, and the induction would shift to a virtual format despite the fees collected for an in-person event featuring a “robust dinner/meal.” The petitioners demanded an EFCC investigation into the total funds collected (estimated at over ₦145 million), prosecution of culpable parties, and either fulfillment of the original promises or full refunds with interest.
The ILA’s statement, signed by Media and Communications Officer Tosin Adewunmi, categorically denied any knowledge of or participation in induction fees or arrangements exceeding its nominal membership cost. “For the avoidance of doubt, our student membership fee is Five Thousand Naira only (N5,000) and this is the same fee that we receive from any student in Nigeria, including students nominated by MTI,” the statement read. It added that the ILA, founded in 1873 to promote the study and development of international law, holds consultative status with UN agencies and maintains an open membership policy for those interested in the field, without any induction charges.
The organization acknowledged the Mediation Training Institute (MTI), an institutional member, for nominating Nigerian Law School students but stressed that the ILA “does not charge any induction fee and is not aware or part of any payment arrangement in excess of its student membership fee of N5,000.” Further details on membership, programs, and courses are available via the ILA’s official channels, including its website (www.ilanigeria.org.ng), X account (@Nigeria_ILA), and LinkedIn page.
Escalating the dispute, MTI Director of Training, Research and Development Prof. Oluwafisayo Ayita issued a counter-statement blaming ICMC for the disruptions. Ayita accused ICMC of “acting in bad faith” by withholding ₦35 million in funds ₦20 million of which had already been spent on a July 7 induction and making “impossible demands” of ₦150 million and ₦45 million. He claimed the remaining ₦15 million could have covered the September backlog for all 905 students.
An anonymous ICMC official refuted these claims, asserting that the institute does not collect fees directly from students and that MTI, acting as its agent under a now-terminated memorandum of understanding, failed to remit the ₦30,000 induction fees per student. The official highlighted ICMC’s “good faith” induction of 1,982 students in July despite MTI’s outstanding ₦99 million debt and noted the appointment of new service providers for Nigerian Law School campuses.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated he was unaware of the petition, though an official acknowledgment stamp confirmed its receipt on Thursday, September 18. As of press time, no formal investigation updates were available.
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