Lawyers Reject Parking Fee As Federal High Court Begins Relocation To New Complex

After a 14-year delay, the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, has begun relocating from its ageing headquarters at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, to its newly completed multi-storey court complex at Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi.

The move has sparked controversy due to the introduction of parking fees for lawyers, litigants and other members of the public.

Some lawyers, who spoke to LEADERSHIP on the issue, argued that litigants and legal practitioners already face significant financial burdens in accessing justice, so there is no need to impose an additional cost.

Reacting to the fee, a Lagos-based lawyer, Oladele Ogunmekan, said the court authorities thought it through poorly and that it constitutes an extra burden on lawyers and litigants.

Ogunmekan argued that since courtrooms are regarded as lawyers’ offices, they should not have to pay a fee to park their cars within the court premises.

He also stated that the cost of litigation is very high and out of the reach of the common man; the court authorities or the facilities manager must reconsider the extra financial burden to avoid worsening the situation.

However, another legal practitioner, Michael Olajumoke, said that if the parking fee is not too exorbitant and it is used to maintain the facility, it should be supported by lawyers.

The phased relocation, which started on 31st July, 2026, marks a major milestone in efforts to modernise one of Nigeria’s busiest federal courts.

A notice signed by the chief registrar of the court, Yahaya Yakubu Shafa, states that the first phase includes Vacation Courts 7 and 12, Courts 2, 3, 4, and 5, along with the offices for the chief registrar, deputy chief registrars, and the electronic litigation registrar of process (ELRP).

The vacation courts have begun sitting at the new site on Monday, with other courts and administrative departments to follow in stages.

The court urged legal practitioners, litigants, court users, the Lagos State Government, and the public to note the new location and make necessary adjustments during the transition.

In an effort to ease concerns regarding the move, court management announced a one-month parking fee waiver for lawyers using the new facility’s car park, effective from 31 July to 31 August.

During this period, all users will be required to pay the standard charges.

The Oyinkan Abayomi Court Complex, which has served the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court for decades, has become associated with overcrowded courtrooms, inadequate office space, and deteriorating infrastructure, with lawyers and litigants often enduring congested corridors, limited parking, and cramped waiting areas.

The courtrooms struggled to cope with rising caseloads, including commercial, maritime, constitutional, election, and criminal cases.