LAGOS – The Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association (RAMINBA) has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, to immediately review the N500,000 e-filing fee introduced under the new Supreme Court Practice Directions, 2026, describing it as excessive and capable of denying ordinary Nigerians access to justice.
Speaking at a news conference held at the Railway Labour House in Surulere, Lagos, RAMINBA said the fee was unaffordable for the average citizen, particularly at a time when the national minimum wage stands at N70,000.
The association argued that retaining the filing fee would make the nation’s apex court accessible only to wealthy litigants, effectively shutting out low-income Nigerians seeking justice.
RAMINBA acknowledged the judiciary’s efforts to modernise court processes through electronic filing but insisted that such reforms should not become financial obstacles that prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional right to seek justice.
The group warned that the new fee could undermine the principle of equal access to justice by placing an unreasonable financial burden on litigants, especially the less privileged.
It urged the Chief Justice to either reduce the e-filing fee to an affordable level or remove it entirely in the interest of fairness, equity and justice.
“We look forward to a pocket-friendly judiciary that can be accessed by all,” the group said.
The press conference statement was signed by RAMINBA Chairperson, Ayo Ademiluyi, and the association’s Secretary, Abiodun Kolawole.
