Group Asks CJN to Scrap ₦500,000 Supreme Court E-Filing Fee, Cites Risk to Access to Justice
The Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association (RAMINBA) has urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, to urgently review the newly introduced ₦500,000 e-filing fee under the Supreme Court Practice Directions, 2026, describing it as excessive, unconstitutional, and a direct threat to access to justice for ordinary Nigerians.
At a press conference held at the Railway Labour House, Surulere, Lagos, RAMINBA argued that the fee is grossly disproportionate, especially in light of the current national minimum wage of ₦70,000, and would effectively restrict access to the apex court to only wealthy litigants.
The group acknowledged the judiciary’s commendable efforts to modernise court processes through electronic filing but warned that such reforms must not become financial barriers that undermine citizens’ constitutional right to seek justice. According to RAMINBA, the imposition of the ₦500,000 fee risks eroding the principle of equal access to justice, placing an unreasonable financial burden on litigants, particularly the less privileged.
RAMINBA therefore called on the CJN to either reduce the fee to a reasonable level or abolish it entirely, stressing that judicial reforms must be anchored on fairness, equity, and inclusivity.
In its statement, the group declared: “We look forward to a pocket-friendly judiciary that can be accessed by all.”
The press release was signed by RAMINBA Chairperson, Ayo Ademiluyi, and Secretary, Abiodun Kolawole, underscoring the association’s commitment to defending the integrity of the legal profession and safeguarding Nigerians’ constitutional rights.
