NBA Group Urges CJN To Reverse N500,000 Supreme Court E-Filing Fee
A group within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has appealed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to reverse the newly introduced ₦500,000 electronic filing fee for matters at the Supreme Court, warning that the policy could deny many Nigerians access to justice.
The group expressed concern that the new fee would place an additional financial burden on litigants and lawyers, particularly those with limited resources, arguing that the cost could discourage deserving appellants from pursuing their cases to the nation’s highest court.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 9, 2026, the lawyers described the fee as excessive and urged the leadership of the judiciary to review the policy in the interest of fairness and constitutional access to justice.
According to the group, while it supports the ongoing digital transformation of the judiciary through electronic filing, such reforms should not be implemented in a manner that makes justice unaffordable for ordinary Nigerians.
The association warned that imposing a flat ₦500,000 e-filing charge could create inequality within the justice system by making it easier for wealthy litigants to access the courts while placing poorer citizens at a disadvantage.
It further argued that the judiciary should strike a balance between improving court administration and preserving the constitutional right of every Nigerian to seek legal redress without undue financial obstacles.
The lawyers therefore called on Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun to immediately suspend the implementation of the new fee structure and engage stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association and other legal practitioners, before taking a final decision.
The group maintained that meaningful consultation with members of the Bar would produce a more practical and affordable e-filing system capable of improving judicial efficiency without restricting access to the Supreme Court.