The Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association (RAMINBA) has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, to immediately review or remove the N500,000 e-filing fee introduced under the new Supreme Court Practice Directions, 2026, describing the charge as excessive and a threat to access to justice.
The demand was made during a press conference held on Wednesday at the Railway Labour House, 33 Ekololu Street, Surulere, Lagos State.
Speaking on behalf of the association, RAMINBA Chairperson, Ayo Ademiluyi, Esq., said the N500,000 e-filing fee was beyond the reach of the average Nigerian, particularly in view of the country’s prevailing economic realities and the N70,000 national minimum wage.
According to him, retaining the fee would effectively deny ordinary Nigerians access to the nation’s highest court and make justice available only to wealthy individuals.
He argued that unless the fee is substantially reduced or completely removed, it would create an unjustifiable barrier to justice and undermine the constitutional right of citizens to seek legal redress.
Ademiluyi acknowledged the judiciary’s efforts to modernise court processes through electronic filing but maintained that such reforms should not come at the expense of access to justice.
“The judiciary is not designed to be accessed only by the most privileged, but by all who seek and deserve justice irrespective of their financial status,” he said.
He added that while the association supports innovations aimed at improving judicial administration, such initiatives should not be used to exclude less privileged Nigerians from the justice system.
RAMINBA therefore urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to reconsider the provision and either reduce the filing fee to a more affordable amount or remove it entirely.
The association expressed hope that the judiciary would adopt measures that ensure equal access to justice for all Nigerians, regardless of their financial status.
The statement was jointly signed by the Chairperson of RAMINBA, Ayo Ademiluyi, Esq., and the association’s Secretary, Abiodun Kolawole, Esq.
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