Hike in Suit Filling Fees: Aregbesola Taking Justice Away From the Poor-PDP

By Abulrofiu Agboola

Osun state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed displeasure over the recent increment in the suit filling fees introduced by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, saying the governor’s action is an attempt to shut the doors of justice against common people in the state.

Chairman of the party, Hon. Soji Adagunodo who expressed his dismay on the suit filing increment in a press statement issued in Osogbo over the weekend, warned the state governor not to take justice away from the poor.

Adagunodo said the 900 percent increment in cost of initiating litigation in Osun state is a clear manifestation of the plans of the APC led administration to limit access to justice for the poor whose last resort has always been the courts of law.

The PDP chairman wondered why the state government would resort to increase the suit filling fees especially at a time when citizens of the state are groaning under the burdens of social and economic hardships occasioned by the bad governance of the last six years.

Adagunodo said the policy was capable of pushing litigants to embark on self help since they will no longer be able to use the judicial process to settle scores.

He said the new suit filing fees was is a clear violation of the 1999 constitution and international best practices on access to justice.

“Nations of the world prioritise issues of granting their citizens fast and cheap access to the courts of law because they understand that the intricacies of modern societies demand prompt, unbiased adjudication of disputes, without which society may fall into anarchy”

Adagunodo said: “How does a pensioner whom government owes up to 3 years gratuity and pensions gather such funds to initiate a civil action to claim his entitlements? Or how does a poor tenant who has issues with a Shylock landlord raise the new filing fees to protect his interest? Is the governor driving home his known aversion to social justice and rule of law through this new policy?”

“Why should a young school leaver or applicant in Osun state require thousands of naira to swear to an ordinary affidavit?”

The PDP chairman called on Aregbesola to immediately rescind his decision by ‘causing the obnoxious circular authorising the hike to be withdrawn and the fees reverted to the old rates.’

“We hereby express our full support to the Nigeria Bar Association in Osun state for its decision to resist the hike. We also call on other civil society organisations to join in condemning this illegal and inhuman policy of the Aregbesola administration and save our state from social disharmony which the policy will engender.”