Some law graduates, who passed out from the Nigerian Law School during the 2024/2025 academic session, have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged professional training fraud.

In the petition dated September 17 and co-signed by two of them, Mr. Goodluck Enebeli and Mr. Freedom Eje, the graduates asked the anti-graft agency to probe the Mediation Training Institute (MTI) and the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC).

MTI is a private body that provides professional training for lawyers, while the ICMC is a certifying professional body established by law to train law graduates in Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Addressing the petition to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, the graduates accused both institutes of acts “bordering on financial impropriety, misrepresentation, and fraudulent inducement.”

They explained that MTI and ICMC, in collaboration with the International Law Association, a global organisation for lawyers, put together a professional ADR skill accreditation and certification course for them.

About 905 students reportedly registered for the training, paying N130,000 for the course and an additional N30,000 for physical induction into the bodies.

After completing the training, the graduates said they were promised three notable certifications and formal induction as Associate of ICMC, Accredited Mediator of MTI, and Member of ILA.

The induction ceremony was scheduled for Monday, September 22, a day before their Call to Bar.

However, just days before the scheduled induction, the participants said they received a message from the institutes stating that they would only be issued two certifications, while the induction for which they paid N30,000 each to attend physically would now be done virtually.

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According to the graduates, they enrolled in the course because of the three certifications, which they considered relevant to their profession.

They also noted that the institutions never presented the training as separate contracts.

“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 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 petition stated.

The law graduates urged the EFCC to investigate the financial dealings of MTI and ICMC regarding the training programme.

They also asked the commission to determine the total sums collected from students and how the funds were applied.

Above all, the participants requested the EFCC to “prosecute any person(s) found culpable of misappropriation or fraud and take necessary steps to protect the interest of affected students.”

They demanded either immediate induction and conferment of all the promised professional designations, or a refund of all sums paid with appropriate interest.

Findings show that ICMC and MTI are professional bodies that train law graduates on mediation and conflict resolution and issue relevant certifications to successful trainees.

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MTI blames ICMC for failed induction

In an email sent to the participants, MTI blamed its dispute with ICMC for the disruption of the planned physical induction.

The MTI’s Director of Training, Research and Development, Prof. Oluwafisayo Ayita, in the message accused ICMC of acting in bad faith, noting that the disagreement began with the 2024 regular set after MTI dropped ICMC from its professional ADR course.

He alleged that the move affected “no less than 65 per cent of ICMC’s membership drive”.

“Within two months, they have issued two disclaimers and made various blackmail attempts to discredit MTI and instigate students against it,” Ayita claimed.

According to him, ICMC is still in possession of about N35m belonging to MTI, out of which N20m was allegedly spent on the July 7 induction ceremony.

He added that the remaining N15m would have been “more than enough to induct 905 backlog students.”

Ayita further alleged that ICMC made “impossible demands” of N150m and N45m, claiming it would not be ready for the September 22 induction.

He told the graduates that while MTI and ILA would proceed with their exercise, ICMC might reach out to them separately with a virtual induction and soft copy certificates.

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ICMC denies allegations

Reacting in an interview with The PUNCH, an official of ICMC, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, said the institute did not collect money from anyone.

“First, ICMC did not market any training to the students. So, ICMC did not collect money from them. Let one student come out and say ICMC collected money from him or her. ICMC did not collect any penny from any student,” the official said.

He explained that ICMC had a memorandum of understanding with MTI, which acted as its agent for law school students, but alleged that MTI went against the terms by advertising training that included MTI and ILA.

The official noted that MTI was supposed to remit the induction fee of N30,000 per student to ICMC but failed to do so.

“Without the N30,000 induction fee, how do we induct? We are going to pay for the venue. We are going to buy food. Where are we going to get the money from?” he asked.

He recalled that during the July induction, ICMC inducted 1,982 students “out of good faith” without receiving any remittance from MTI, amounting to about N99m.

He alleged that MTI wanted the institute to induct another 840 students at a cost of about N45m without payment.

The ICMC official also denied claims that the institute was holding on to N15m or N35m from MTI.

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According to him, in 2023, MTI trained students between August and December, and by March 2024 when they were due for induction, MTI said it did not have the N65m required.

He said the MTI Managing Director, Segun Ogunyonwu, pleaded with ICMC and paid in instalments until the full amount was eventually settled, after which the induction took place.

“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 said.

He noted that the ICMC met with the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, explained its position, and thereafter appointed new service providers for each campus.

“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,” he stated.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said he was not aware of the petition.

However, an acknowledgement copy of the letter, which bore the official stamp of the agency, showed that the petition was received on Thursday.
PUNCH

A supremacy battle is threatening to unsettle the Osun State Council of Obas as the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, and the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, are locked in a bitter row over who occupies the fourth position in the hierarchy of monarchs in the state.

Beyond the palaces, the tussle has spilt into the digital space, with supporters of both monarchs taking to social media to defend the honour of their rulers.

Ataoja’s loyalists argue that Osogbo’s historic role as the state capital confers a higher ranking, insisting that the stool of the Ataoja should not be relegated.

On the other hand, Oluwo’s supporters counter that the Iwo throne predates Osogbo and carries greater ancestral weight. The exchanges have often turned heated, with sharp words traded, heightening public tension.

The latest round of the dispute erupted when Ataoja, during a lecture at Osun State University to mark his 15th coronation anniversary, revisited the long-standing controversy by insisting that his stool historically occupies the fourth position in the Council—a status he alleged was wrongly ceded to the Oluwo during the reign of his predecessor, Oba Iyiola Matanmi III.

Oba Oyetunji narrated how the confusion began, stressing that he was not fighting any monarch but merely asserting the historical rights of his stool.

He said, “Late Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Iyiola Oyewale, during his reign, went abroad, and before he came back, his position was given to the Oluwo of Iwoland. That was how Oluwo became number four in the hierarchy. That position is for Ataoja.

“When I spoke about it some time ago, people twisted my words, and that was why I kept silent. However, I have been working underground. I am not fighting any monarch, but Ataoja’s stool is number four in Osun State.”

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The Ataoja also recalled an encounter with the Oba of Ila Orangun, who questioned him over his reported claim that the Oluwo ranked below him.

Oba Oyetunji explained that his remarks were misconstrued.

“When I got to Ila Orangun, he asked why I started fighting for a monarch’s position a few days after my ascension. I told him I did not know anything about that.

“He said I was quoted as saying I am the fourth monarch in ranking, while Oluwo is fifth. I explained that Oluwo and I were not fighting, but my predecessors had always occupied the fourth seat,” the monarch explained.

Despite his clarifications, Oba Oyetunji admitted that the issue continued to haunt him.

He said, “Since then, I have been silent on this issue because I do not know a way out, but I have been doing my work quietly. No matter how long you cook, the flame will go out. I am not fighting any monarch, but Ataoja’s stool is fourth in ranking in Osun State.”

Reacting to Ataoja’s fresh remarks, Oluwo fired back through his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, accusing Oba Oyetunji of attempting to distort history.

He urged Ataoja to seek accurate historical knowledge from respected elders of Osogbo rather than distort the hierarchy of Yoruba traditional stools.

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“The good people of Iwoland are not unaware of a video circulating on social media, reportedly made by the Ataoja of Osogbo, contesting stool hierarchy.

“Personally, I watched with disappointment but no dismay. This clarification becomes necessary to protect the ancient stool of Oluwo and prevent distortion of Yoruba history.”

Oba Akanbi maintained that the Oluwo’s crown flows directly from Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, dismissing Ataoja’s claim of deriving his crown from Ipole as recent and politically influenced.

He said, “As far as we know, Ataoja was a Baale until 1948. Ataoja’s crown was of recent origin, along with some others, when the then military governor, David Jemibewon, decreed them into existence in 1976. Oluwo’s beaded crown is ageless and from the pristine source—undiluted and authentic.”

Oluwo also reminded Ataoja of their earlier clash at the Council, insisting that the episode was a demonstration of where true seniority lies.

The Ataoja’s secretary, Bello Oyewale, in a statement posted on social media, stressed that when Osun was carved out of old Oyo State in 1992, the Ataoja was recognised as fourth in the Council, with Oluwo following behind.

He listed other monarchs such as the Timi of Ede, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, and the Akinrun of Ikirun as part of the vice-chairmanship cadre, maintaining that Ataoja’s stool was historically elevated as monarch of the state capital.

Sources confirmed that both monarchs clashed at a Council of Obas meeting recently when the absence of the Ooni of Ife, the Orangun of Ila, and the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland left Ataoja as the most senior monarch present.

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They said Ataoja presided over the meeting until Oluwo arrived.

“Ataoja acknowledged Oluwo’s presence and continued with the meeting. Oluwo expected to be invited to preside immediately, but Oba Oyetunji didn’t do that. Oba Akanbi felt disrespected and protested.

“The meeting was disrupted, and it took the intervention of other royal fathers to restore order. The matter was later settled by the Ooni at the following month’s meeting,” they recounted.

But the Iwo Board of Trustees rejected the explanation and called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to compel Ataoja to apologise.

Its statement read, “The truth is that Ataoja’s crown was of recent origin. Oluwo’s beaded crown is ageless. No doubt, the misuse of political power is a common phenomenon in Nigeria, as it often seeks to distort authentic historical facts.

“The relative peace in Osun State must not be disturbed. We therefore call on the Governor to direct the Ataoja, with due respect, to recant the provocative statement and apologise to Oluwo and the Council of Obas.”

The Asiwaju of Osogbo, Justice Moshood Adeigbe (retd.), appealed for restraint and urged reconciliation among the monarchs.
(PUNCH)

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has started online registration for ad-hoc staff in preparation for the Anambra State Governorship Election.

According to a release monitored on its website on Friday, INEC stated that the recruitment includes various categories of temporary staff who will play essential roles in conducting the elections.

According to INEC, the application portal opened on Monday, September 15, and will close on Sunday, October 5.

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Interested applicants are required to apply online by completing the registration process through the official portal.

Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) – This position is open to individuals from the federal public/civil service and MDAs at specified grade levels.

Presiding Officer (PO) – This position includes serving or recent National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, INEC staff, and qualified students from federal tertiary institutions.

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Assistant Presiding Officer I (APO I) – Open to students and graduates from recognised tertiary institutions.

Registration Area Technician (RATECH) – This position is strictly for INEC ICT staff at the state or headquarters level who are not assigned other election duties.

Registration Area Coordinator (RAC) Manager – This role is typically filled by heads of schools or designated personnel from hosting institutions. Candidates have been encouraged to apply promptly through the official INEC portal.