Ogun Lawyers Boycott Courts Over ₦100,000 Virtual Fee

Lawyers in Ogun State have boycotted court sessions due to the introduction of a ₦100,000 fee for virtual hearings and other policies perceived as detrimental to their practice. The protest began on Monday and has led to a near-total compliance among lawyers within the jurisdiction.

Kayod Aderemi, the chairman of the Abeokuta branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, spearheaded the boycott, citing concerns over the financial burden imposed by the virtual hearing fee, which requires litigants to pay ₦100,000 for virtual sessions. Additionally, there has been an increase in the oath administration fee from ₦200 to ₦1,500, which has raised complaints among clients and lawyers alike.

The restrictions on the number of witnesses a lawyer can process in a day have also been criticized as limiting their professional duties. Despite efforts to engage with the Ogun State Judiciary, including the Chief Judge, no resolution has been reached.

The Chief Registrar, Olakulehin Ok, noted that the virtual court system requires significant investment and that the fee structure varies across jurisdictions.