Some Nigerian law graduates from the 2024/2025 academic session have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged professional training fraud involving the Mediation Training Institute (MTI) and the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC).
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In the petition dated September 17 and co-signed by two graduates, Mr. Goodluck Enebeli and Mr. Freedom Eje, the petitioners accused the two institutes of “financial impropriety, misrepresentation, and fraudulent inducement.” The letter was addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
According to the graduates, MTI, a private training body, and ICMC, a legally established certifying institute, collaborated with the International Law Association (ILA) to organise an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) skill accreditation and certification course. About 905 students reportedly registered, paying ₦130,000 for the training and another ₦30,000 each for a physical induction ceremony.
The graduates said they were promised three certifications: Associate of ICMC, Accredited Mediator of MTI, and Member of ILA. However, days before the scheduled induction on September 22, they were informed that only two certifications would be issued, while the induction would now hold virtually, contrary to what was advertised.
“The institutions further promised us a physical induction with activities including a robust dinner/meal, however they have now announced a virtual induction. Whereas, we have paid ₦30,000 for the physical induction,” the petition read.
They urged the EFCC to probe the financial dealings of MTI and ICMC, determine the total sums collected, prosecute any persons found culpable, and ensure either immediate induction with all promised certifications or a full refund with interest.
MTI, in a message signed by its Director of Training, Research and Development, Prof. Oluwafisayo Ayita, blamed ICMC for the disruption.
Ayita accused ICMC of acting in bad faith, alleging that the institute was withholding ₦35m belonging to MTI, with ₦20m already spent on a July 7 induction. He said the remaining ₦15m could have covered the backlog of 905 students.
He further alleged that ICMC made “impossible demands” of ₦150m and ₦45m, insisting it was unprepared for the September induction.
An ICMC official, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, denied the claims. He said ICMC did not collect money directly from any student, explaining that MTI acted as its agent under a memorandum of understanding.
The official alleged that MTI failed to remit the ₦30,000 induction fees per student, making it impossible for ICMC to host a physical induction. He recalled that in July, ICMC inducted 1,982 students “out of good faith” without receiving ₦99m owed by MTI.
He also denied that ICMC was holding ₦15m or ₦35m, insisting that MTI had a history of defaulting on remittances. He noted that ICMC had since terminated its MoU with MTI, informed the Nigerian Law School, and appointed new service providers for each campus.
Though EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said he was not aware of the petition, an acknowledgement copy bearing the agency’s official stamp confirmed that it was received on Thursday.
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