Mixed Reactions Trail Lagos Courts’ New Virtual Proceedings Fees

Newly introduced fees for virtual court proceedings and electricity rationing across  courts in Lagos State have generated mixed reactions among lawyers and litigants .

While some believe that the decision of the Lagos State Judiciary headed by Justice Kazeem Alogba is the right way to manage the court’s resources and keep it running, others insist that the new measures will negatively affect access to justice and the administration of justice.

The authorities of the court had, in a circular dated March 28, 2024, announced the payment of an N30,000 fee per session for all remote or virtual court proceedings across the state from April 1, 2024.

The circular, issued by the acting chief registrar of the state’s judiciary, Tajudeen Elias, stated that all applications for virtual hearings must be made to the court hearing the matter. It added that payment shall be made upon approval to the court.

The circular said  the assistant chief registrar (Litigation) in Ikeja or Lagos would schedule the case for hearing upon receipt of payment.

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LEADERSHIP noted that the virtual hearing has been free from its inception and its usage became popular in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic as it helped the courts to attend to pressing cases.

A court registrar, who did not want her name mentioned because she was not authorised to speak on the matter,said  the issue of power cut has dramatically reduced the time available for court proceedings.

The source said the Ikeja Division of the High Court, which is the headquarters of the Lagos State Judiciary, made up of more than 40 courts, runs on generating sets.

She revealed that the rising cost of diesel affects court management as they face expenses beyond their electricity and fuel budget.

The source also said the financial crisis was caused majorly by the burning of the oldest court in Nigeria, Lagos High Court, Igbosere, which was destroyed during the #Endsars riots of 2020.’’

Also, the managing director of Global T & T New Solutions Limited, Musbau Famuyiwa, said the fee for virtual proceedings would make the virtual hearing more effective by scaling it up to achieve and aid the justice system.

Famuyiwa also pointed out that the court was not forcing anyone to pay for the fee or make use of a virtual hearing. “People are already tapping into this service, but the court is not forcing anyone to use the virtual hearing.’’