The Lagos State judiciary has announced that from April 1, 2024, a fee of N30,000 per session will be charged for all remote or virtual court proceedings across the state.
The Acting Chief Registrar of the state, Tajudeen Elias, announced the announcement in a circular dated March 28, 2024.
According to the circular, all applications for virtual hearings must be made to the court hearing.
The fee will be paid upon court approval, and the Assistant Chief Registrar on Litigation in Ikeja or Lagos will schedule the case for hearing upon receipt of payment.
No other office or officer is authorized to conduct or schedule cases for virtual proceedings in the courts of Lagos State.
The First Hightower Infotech Ltd. (FHTT) will continue to provide Internet access and service for the courts where they currently offer such services.
Court registrars are directed to ensure strict compliance with the circular.
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The virtual hearing became popular in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is a means of ensuring continuity of court operations while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
The virtual hearing has been free from its inception and its usage started since the beginning of COVID-19 to attend to pressing cases.
The Managing Director of Global T & T New Solutions Ltd., Musbau Famuyiwa, said that the payment of the fee would make the virtual hearing more effective by scaling it up to achieve and aid the justice system.
He also noted that the court would not force anyone to pay for the fee or make use of a virtual hearing.
Famuyiwa added that people are already tapping into this service, and the virtual hearing has been extended to all magistrate courts in the state.
