Osun Lawyers Protest ‘Arbitrary’ Increment in Filing Fees

By Fisayo Oyeyinka

Members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Osogbo, Osun State, have protested what they described as arbitrary increment in the filling fees.

Chairman, Osogbo Branch of NBA, Alhaji Asafa Sanusi addressing journalists at the Osogbo High Court

The lawyers accused the state government of commercializing justice and denying the masses access to justice because of the high charges on the filing of cases.

The lawyers boycotted courts in the state capital on Tuesday to protest what it called unilateral and arbitrary increment in the filling fees.

A circular signed by the Principal Registrar of the State High Court, Mr Taiwo Jacob had announced increment in filling fees with immediate effect.

The chairman of the Osogbo branch of the NBA, Alhaji Asafa Sanusi, said the state government has increased from N4, 000 to N40, 000 while a divorce petition has also jumped from N3, 000 to N25, 000 and Oath was increased from N200 to N1000.

Sanusi said the NBA has rejected the increment and would not allow the new fee regime to take effect.

The NBA chairman said lawyers would not attend courts until the state government reverts to the old fees.

When contacted Reacting to the matter, Chief Registrar, Lawrence Arojo confirmed the increment but did not state the percentage.

According to Arojo, there was upward review of the filing fees, stating that the former regime had been on without increment.

Arojo disclosed that he would call a meeting of all the NBA branches in the state to address the matter, saying that it would be resolves amicably.