The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in Ondo State have issued a joint letter to the Chief Judge of Ondo State, demanding the reversal of recently implemented changes to court filing fees and procedures.

The letter, signed by the chairmen of all five NBA branches in the state, follows emergency meetings held by the branches on Thursday.

The NBA branches are calling for the following actions:

1. Reversal of filing fees at Magistrate Courts and High Courts to the old price regime stipulated in the Rules of Courts.
2. Cessation of mandatory fixing and charges of judiciary red seal to Affidavits and statements on oath.
3. Disbandment of the commercialized Oaths office/registries where Affidavits are prepared for deponents before being administered.
4. Suspension of the E-FILING of court processes, which is currently managed by Cinforex, a private limited company.

The letter noted that despite a previous communication from the NBA, the Oath registry created for preparing Affidavits is still functioning, compulsory judiciary seals are still being affixed and paid for, and lawyers and litigants are still paying higher filing fees than stipulated in the Rules of Courts.

The NBA branches have threatened to boycott the upcoming legal year ceremony on Monday, October 14, 2024, as well as further court sittings at Magistrate Courts and High Courts in all judicial divisions of Ondo State if their demands are not met by the close of business on Friday, October 11, 2024.
The chairmen expressed confidence that the Chief Judge, as an arbiter of law, justice, and equity, would meet their demands within the given timeframe to ensure a seamless legal year and serve the broader public good.

The Chief Judge’s office has not yet issued a response to the NBA’s letter. The situation is being closely monitored by the legal community in Ondo State and across Nigeria.